In the statement, the NMSP urged ethnic armed organisations (EAOs), political parties that contested in the 2015 elections, and civil society organisations to work cooperatively toward the establishment of nationwide peace.

NMSP Chairman Nai Htaw Mon in an interview with MNA said: “We will continue to work for peace until peace is achieved. The international community is also lending a hand for peace to succeed in the country. We will work hard to form a genuine union. The new government has the ability to continue holding talks for peace,” said NMSP Chairman Nai Htaw Mon in an interview with MNA.

The released statement also outlines the party’s slated future goals regarding unifying ethnic Mon people, cultivating closer ties between different ethnic nationalities, ensuring tripartite political talks for peace, and establishing a sustainable, multi-party democracy and democratic rights within a genuine federal system.

According to Nai Htaw Mon, although the NLD-led government will assume office soon, political reform remains burdened by the 2008 Constitution.

He said: “This means that the new government in office is from the democratic party and can be a democratic government. It is good if we talk about these good qualities. But people’s expectations have not yet been met. This is because we are still in the environment of the military-led 2008 Constitution.”

The NMSP Chairman stated it will not be easy for the NLD government to initiate reform of the 2008 Constitution. He said that the process depends on negotiation and communication between the new administration and the Tatmadaw, or Burmese Armed Forces, and that without amendments to the constitution, the public will not be satisfied.

Elected CEC members at NMSP’s 9th Congress (Photo: Nai Aye Mon)Elected CEC members at NMSP’s 9th Congress (Photo: Nai Aye Mon) The NMSP and other groups have yet to sign the nationwide ceasefire agreement adopted by the government and eight EAOs last year due to criticisms of the document’s lack of inclusivity. The party asserts that it will continue to stand by the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), a coalition of 11 armed ethnic groups including the NMSP, that will hold talks with the incoming NLD administration.

Recently NMSP members voted in elections for the party's top leadership at At the NMSP’s 9th Congress held from 27 December to 4 January. 122 party representatives, 18 observers and 10 advisors attended the congress according to a press release.

Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI