Ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) that are not signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) met with the government and Burma Army in person and online to discuss resuming peace negotiations delayed since the onset of the global pandemic.

 

Lamai Gum Ja, from the Kachin Peace-Talk Creation Group (PCG), suspected the meetings indicated that peace talks are forthcoming. "If the government is ready to talk, a meeting could happen anytime." He speculated it might happen as early as this month or in early 2021.

 

Representatives of the Burma Army met with Arakan Army (AA) at Pangsang, the headquarters of the United Wa State Party/Army (UWSP/A) on Wednesday, December 9.

 

This Monday, the Burma Army joined an online meeting with the Karenni National Progressive Party.

 

According to the government's National Reconciliation and Peace Center, the Burma Army met with lawmakers to discuss the peace process at the center from December 3-4. Talks with both NCA signatory EAOs and the non-NCA EAOs were on the table.

 

AA spokesperson Khaing Thukha told media outlets when meeting with the Burma Army they talked about the peace process, a ceasefire and recent 2020 race.

 

Lamai Gum Ja wondered whether the government would attempt to meet with members of the Northern Alliance individually for peace talks or as a group, adding that the alliance remains committed to signing a peace agreement as a bloc and not separately.

 

The last time the Northern Alliance met with the government and Burma Army to discuss a bilateral ceasefire agreement was in China on December 15.

 

The member groups of the alliance are Kachin Independence Organization/Army, AA, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and Ta'ang National Liberation Army.

 

Members of the Northern Alliance are also part of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee, which includes UWSP/A, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and National Democratic Alliance Army.