“The NCA is not the NMSP’s goal. It’s only a procedure for political dialogue,” said Nai Htaw Mon, who is also patron of the public meeting.

Around 200 people including representatives of the NMSP, the Mon National Party (MNP), the All Mon Region Democracy Party (AMRDP), Mon civil society organizations, invited guests, Thai Mons, and technical supports attended the meeting held at Nyi Sar Camp in the NMSP-controlled Ye Chaung Phyar area in Ye Township.

“Discussion with the government went well before we sign the NCA for political dialogue, but we are facing unexpected obstacles after signing [the NCA]. We are unable to negotiate the JMC-S issue. The Tatmadaw still hasn’t returned Zee Hna Pin and Payar Taung checkpoints. The number of attendees was restricted for the Mon public consultations, which were planned to be held in the Kayin State,” said Nai Htaw Mon.

He explained that the Tatmadaw seized Zee Hna Pin and Payar Taung checkpoints on Thanbyuzayat-Payathonzu Road in early 2017 but has not returned them back to the NMSP. The Tatmadaw has also forbidden public consultations of more than 40 people in the Kayin State.

“As we are an organization that accepts the NCA path, we will strive for the single federal policy together with all ethnic armed organizations, no matter what the difficulties. We will strive together with the UNFC (United Nationalities Federal Council) members and the Northern Alliance (FPNCC) for [the emergence of ] a genuine federal country,” he continued.

Currently, there are three ethnic armed coalitions among 20 ethnic armed organizations (EAOs), namely the UNFC, ten EAOs that have signed the NCA, the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC), which rejects the NCA path.

The NMSP will continue to hold public meetings on the NCA process at Wal Zin Camp after the Thingyan Water Festival and plans to hold a national-level political dialogue for the Mon people in Ye during the first week of May.