Myanmar govt, armed groups sign framework accord for ceasefire implementation

The government of Myanmar and ten armed ethnic groups signed a framework agreement for the implementation of the National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) at Nay Pyi Taw on Friday at the end of the 4th session of the Union Peace Conference – 21st Century Panglong. The agreement also includes the framework for implementation of various processes beyond 2020, and basic principles to establish a democratic federal union.

State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi said that the accord opens a door to solving misunderstanding regarding the NCA and difficulties faced in its implementation. The spokesperson of the President Office termed the agreement as a great success as it contains a step by step peace process for implementation beyond 2020 in working for peace, democratic reform, federalism and national reconciliation.

The peace accord called Union Peace Accord III contains 15 provisions to implement the NCA. These include troop deployment, protocol to deal with skirmishes between government troops and the armed groups among others.

Currently, the 4th round of the peace process is being held between the government and armed ethnic groups that signed the NCA.