“We can’t obtain this decision at the Union level so we have submitted to both sides to discuss it at the JICM (Joint Implementation and Coordination Meeting). This issue will be discussed in either the JICM or a similar summit of the leaders like the JICM,” said Dr Shwe Khar, secretary (1) of the Union-level Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC-U).

The last JICM was held at the National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NRPC) in Naypyidaw on February 28 after the NMSP and the Lahu Democratic Union (LDU) signed the NCA. The next meeting has not been scheduled so far.

“Our Mon armies are located in the Karen State and Tanintharyi Region. We have reached an agreement with the Tatmadaw since 1995 to set up our army bases in these areas. Also, the majority of the Mon people reside there. That’s why we have sought assistance from the Peace Commission (PC) to obtain the right to participate in JMC-S Karen and Tanintharyi,” Nai Aung Ma Nge, spokesperson and member of the NMSP’s central committee, said to the Mon News Agency.

Although the NMSP participates in the JMC-U level, it is not allowed to participate in JMC-S in the Karen State and the Tanintharyi Region so the NMSP’s central committee has decided not to participate in JMC-S Mon, he said.

According to records from the NMSP, the NMSP has three district headquarters and three battalions in the Karen State, where a large number of Mon people reside and NMSP’s army wing, the Mon National Liberation Army (MNLA), is active, and two district headquarters and two battalions in the Tanintharyi Region.

The Karen National Union (KNU) has been allowed to participate in the JMC-S in all four areas of Karen State, Mon State, Bago Region, and Tanintharyi Region. Observers of the peace process commented that the NMSP has not been allowed to participate in the JMC-S in the Mon State and the Tanintharyi Region due to the Tatmadaw’s view.