Myanmar unveils parts of nationwide ceasefire agreement

Myanmar official media Tuesday published excerpts of the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) to get the public informed of its contents in anticipation of the signing of the document later this month between the government and the ethnic armed groups.

Described as an important milestone for the peace process, the NCA comprises seven chapters.

Chapter 1 highlights establishment of a union based on the principles of democracy and federalism, reaching a negotiated settlement to end protracted armed conflict, establishing a new political culture of resolving political disagreement through political dialogue, guaranteeing equal rights to all citizens and ensuring no citizen will be discriminated.

Chapter 2 highlights the beginning of an inclusive political dialogue between the government and the ethnic armed groups and formation of a joint monitoring committee to carry out implementing the agreement.

Chapter 3 deals with ceasefire-related matters, setting that the authorities are to meet within 14 days after signing of the NCA to define the exact time frame and abiding by the mutually binding terms and military code of conducts.

The chapter also highlights the deployment of military forces to prevent confrontation, free movement of troops, protection of civilians and provision of humanitarian assistance.

Chapter 4 deals with maintaining and strengthening ceasefire, while Chapter 5 highlights guarantee for political dialogue.

Chapter 6 deals with provision of confidence building measures, tasks to be implemented during the interim period and submission to the parliament for ratification.

Chapter 7 deals with signatories who are to undertake and ensure the success of the NCA.

The signing is to be done by leaders of the government, the armed forces, the parliament and leaders of ethnic organizations before local and international witnesses.

Peace process between the government and the ethnic armed groups has entered the decisive phase.

In their 9th round of peace talks in Yangon between the government's Union Peace Making-Work Committee (UPWC) and the Senior Delegation (SD) of the ethnic armed groups, which ended on Aug. 6, the two sides were able to finalize the draft NCA, except the matter of inviting all other armed groups to take part in the signing of the peace deal.

Negotiators of the Myanmar government and ethnic armed groups are expected to further their talks in Nay Pyi Taw later this month, aimed at overcoming the only sticking point that is deadlocking the NCA. Endi