Myanmar's non-ceasefire signatory armed groups decide to join Panglong conference

Non-signatory armed groups to the Nationwide Ceasefire Accord (NCA) in Myanmar, represented by the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC)'s Delegation for Political Negotiation (DPN), decided on Thursday to attend the government-sponsored 21st Century Panglong Ethnic Conference slated for Aug. 31 in Nay Pyi Taw, said an announcement of the UNFC Central Executive committee.

UNFC's decision was made after an emergency and extended meeting over the past two days, which reassessed the current peace process and the country's political status.

All UNFC member organizations will join the Panglong conference with the aim of building a federal union through each step of political dialogue, the announcement said.

Last weekend, the DPN met with the government's Preparatory Committee for Holding the 21st Century Panglong Conference and the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC) in Yangon's National Reconciliation and Peace Center, reviewing the political framework for the peace process.

The UPDJC agreed to allow the non-signatory armed groups to the NCA to join the Panglong conference.

Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, who is also chairperson of the UPDJC made up of representatives of the government, ethnic armed groups and political parties, called for mutual trust and unity to successfully hold the Panglong conference.

The former Myanmar government and eight ethnic armed groups out of 15 signed the NCA on Oct. 15, 2015, leaving seven other armed groups yet to sign the accord.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is likely to address the upcoming Panglong conference as reported and all international organizations assisting Myanmar's peace process, UN agencies and resident foreign diplomats in the country will be invited to the conference which is expected to attract over 1,800 attendees. Endit