Kunming ceasefire talks collapse after AA demands junta to withdraw from Rakhine

Aye Myat Khaing, Narinjara News, 18 May 2024

The ceasefire talks between the military junta and Arakha Army (AA) in Kunming of  Yunnan province (China) collapsed as the AA representatives demanded an end to civilian atrocities, exclusive presence of the AA fighters in Rakhine State and withdrawal of military forces from the region.

A source familiar with the discussions informed Narinjara News that the junta's delegation referred to the 2008 Constitution and three main national causes during the meeting, but the negotiation failed to proceed.

"The discussion with the AA made no progress as both sides disagreed to reach an agreement. The AA  insisted on being the sole force in Rakhine. But the junta reiterated their responsibility as per the  constitutional provisions,” added the source.

The specific meeting mediated by Beijing was organised on 16 May.

However, issues concerning TNLA and MNDAA were  discussed and no immediate agreement was reached on Rakhine issues.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance, consisting of Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and AA, organised its 5th meeting with the military junta at Haigeng hotel in Kunming  from 14 to 16 May.

During the discussions on the first two days, five agreements were reached. Those highlighted in enhancing the existing Haigeng agreement, minimizing confrontations, reopening border trade routes, safeguarding Chinese interests in Myanmar and  acknowledging the MNDAA as the official governing body of Kokang special region 1.

In the separately organised discussion with the AA, junta’s advocate general Myo Thant Naing, newly appointed member of National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC), was present. The AA was represented by vice commander-in-chief Dr  Nyo Twan Aung.

Three Brotherhood Alliance was  represented by AA vice commander-in-chief Dr Nyo Twan Aung, Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA)'s foreign affairs leader Tar Moe Hein and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA)'s external relations officer brigadier general Phone Win Naing.

 By now, Operation 1027 has resulted in the fall of 16 towns in northern Shan State. The gun fighting ceased on 11 January following the Chinese mediation.

As the talks between the  military junta and Three Brotherhood Alliance are going on, the fighting in Rakhine State continues. On 15 May, Wea Gyi Daunt hospital in Kyauktaw was  occupied by the AA fighters. The town faced extensive damages from airstrikes, where 20 civilians were injured  including medical workers, patients and caretakers.

Lin Thi village under Thandwe township was struck by artillery shelling where 10 civilians were killed.

The AA is yet to make any statement  regarding the breakdown of ceasefire talks on the Rakhine issues. Hence the specific information here can not be independently confirmed by Narinjara News.

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