Under a federal Union, what would happen to all of the many armed groups in Myanmar? According to the Tatmadaw, they would all be disband as there would only be a need for one army. The statement provoked much contention at the Union Peace Conference on May 25.
By contrast, the ethnic armed groups insisted that there must be a federal army that accurately reflects the diverse ethnic composition of the federal Union, according to Lieutenant Colonel Sai Nguen, spokesperson for the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA).
“A heated debate on this issue started yesterday [May 25]. We will continue to discuss it today. The Burma Army submitted its policy in favor of having a single army. The EAOs submitted a policy supporting the federal army. We can’t negotiate on the term ‘federal’,” he said.
A Tatmadaw representative insisted that every country across the world has only one army. According to the RCSS spokesperson, the representative used the examples of the US, Indian and British armies, pointing out that none of them refer to their armies as “federal”.
The second session of the Union Peace Conference – also called the 21st-Century Panglong – is being held in Nay Pyi Taw from May 24 to 28 with discussions revolving around five main topics: politics, security, economics, social issues and land and natural resources.
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by Laignee Barron
