The United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) plans to present its draft constitution for a federal union during the upcoming Ethnic Armed Summit in Maijayang, Kachin State. Ethnic armed groups will meet in in the second largest city controlled by Kachin Independence Organization in eastern Kachin on 29 July. Mainly in preparation for the 21st Century Panglong Conference that will take place the following month.
At a recent emergency meeting in northern Thai city Chiang Mai, UNFC General Secretary Khu Oo Reh told reporters: “We have prepared the draft constitution for federal union which coincides with the two main aims of Maijayang [Summit]. We have also prepared our views on defence and security.”
A few days before the 21st Century Panglong Conference happens, Khu Oo Reh said a UNFC delegation will meet with the United Wa State Army (UWSP) and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) at the UWSP headquarters in Pangsang to share what it will present at the conference.
The MNDAA is one of six armed groups out of the country’s twenty-one that were excluded from signing last year’s nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) by the former Thein Sein government. The UWSP was invited but refused to take part. Seven of fifteen armed groups that were included didn’t sign, mainly because of the former government's decision to not allow the other groups from joining.
Khu Oo Reh wouldn’t reveal what would be discussed when UNFC leaders meet with State Secretary Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on 17 July at the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre (formerly the Myanmar Peace Centre) in Rangoon. However, it’s believed that discussions will be about the 21st Century Panglong Conference. The conference has concerned some groups that didn’t sign the NCA after learning only those that signed could vote on decisions.
UNFC suspended its second conference scheduled for next month until next December so it could focus on the conference in late August.
Reporting by Network Media Group
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by BNI staff
