Preparations are underway to hold peace workshops on the occasion of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) anniversary on October 15.
The 7 EAO Alliance, a group of NCA-signatory ethnic armed organizations (EAOs), held a virtual meeting on September 23 as an initial preparation for the planned peace discussions.
The 7 EAO Alliance spokesperson Colonel Saw Kyaw Nyunt confirmed to Than Lwin Times that peace workshops are set to take place during the NCA anniversary.
“If we look at Myanmar’s current political landscape, the military approach is dominant, while dialogue and negotiated solutions remain very weak. As the 10th anniversary of the NCA approaches, we aim to revive this nearly extinct sector. We believe this will be a smart move, killing two birds with one stone by both marking the NCA anniversary and encouraging peace talks,” he said.
He added that the 7 EAO Alliance hopes the planned peace workshops will generate new solutions for Myanmar's current political dilemma, which is grappling with major crises and challenges from the armed conflicts.
The purpose of these peace workshops is to revive dialogue and plenary talks, gather input from experts across all sectors, and facilitate the exchange of views among leaders as well as local and international experts working toward peace.
For the upcoming peace workshops, the 7 EAO Alliance is prioritizing bilateral discussions with the junta’s National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC), rather than treating peace efforts as a proper initiative.
Colonel Saw Kyaw Nyunt also confirmed that many discussions have already been held between the two sides regarding plans for the NCA anniversary ceremony.
The 7 EAO Alliance members also discussed arrangements for accommodation, meals, and lodging for representatives from member groups attending the peace workshops.
Similarly, the junta held a meeting in which NSPNC members and some members of the coup regime’s administration discussed plans for conducting workshops during the NCA anniversary.
The NSPNC has announced that those who contributed to the NCA, NCA signatories, witnesses to the signing, EAOs, political party representatives, local and international scholars, university students, and observers will be invited to the anniversary.
In addition, those attending the NCA anniversary will have the opportunity to freely exchange views and share experiences about the challenges they have faced, their successes, and the peace efforts of the NCA over the past 10 years, according to the junta.
photo credit - MOI
