Kunming ceasefire talks collapse after AA demands junta to withdraw from Rakhine
The ceasefire talks between themilitary 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 ofmilitary forces from the region.
A sourcefamiliar with the discussions informed Narinjara News that the junta'sdelegation referred to the 2008 Constitution and three main national causesduring the meeting, but the negotiation failed to proceed.
"Thediscussion with the AA made no progress as both sides disagreed to reach anagreement. The AA insisted on being the sole force in Rakhine. But thejunta reiterated their responsibility as per the constitutionalprovisions,” added the source.
The specific meeting mediated byBeijing was organised on 16 May.
However,issues concerning TNLA and MNDAA were discussed and no immediateagreement was reached on Rakhine issues.
The ThreeBrotherhood Alliance, consisting of Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army(MNDAA), Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and AA, organised its 5thmeeting with the military junta at Haigeng hotel in Kunming from 14 to 16May.
During the discussions on the firsttwo days, five agreements were reached. Those highlighted in enhancing theexisting Haigeng agreement, minimizing confrontations, reopening border traderoutes, safeguarding Chinese interests in Myanmar and acknowledging theMNDAA as the official governing body of Kokang special region 1.
In theseparately organised discussion with the AA, junta’s advocate general Myo ThantNaing, newly appointed member of National Solidarity and PeacemakingNegotiation Committee (NSPNC), was present. The AA was represented by vicecommander-in-chief Dr Nyo Twan Aung.
Three BrotherhoodAlliance was represented by AA vice commander-in-chief Dr Nyo Twan Aung,Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA)'s foreign affairs leader Tar Moe Heinand Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA)'s external relationsofficer brigadier general Phone Win Naing.
Bynow, Operation 1027 has resulted in the fall of 16 towns in northern ShanState. The gun fighting ceased on 11 January following the Chinese mediation.
As thetalks between the military junta and Three Brotherhood Alliance are goingon, the fighting in Rakhine State continues. On 15 May, Wea Gyi Daunt hospitalin Kyauktaw was occupied by the AA fighters. The town faced extensivedamages from airstrikes, where 20 civilians were injured includingmedical workers, patients and caretakers.
Lin Thivillage under Thandwe township was struck by artillery shelling where 10civilians were killed.
The AA isyet to make any statement regarding the breakdown of ceasefire talks onthe Rakhine issues. Hence the specific information here can not beindependently confirmed by Narinjara News.
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