Myanmar government, armed groups confident of ceasefire breakthrough

Negotiators said they hope a solution to a nationwide ceasefire pact could be reached and signed before Myanmar's elections in November.

• By May Wong, Myanmar Correspondent, Channel NewsAsia 

The Myanmar government and ethnic armed groups have been meeting over the past 18 months to try and gain a ceasefire. (Photo: AFP/KC Ortiz)

YANGON: Myanmar government and ethnic armed groups' negotiators said they are confident of soon signing a nationwide ceasefire pact, though it may not come before the country holds its general elections in November.
Both sides met formally Wednesday (Jul 22) for the first time since the ethnic armed groups appointed a new team of 15 negotiators early last month.
They are confident they can achieve a win-win solution to the ceasefire impasse by Thursday, but they declined to confirm if they would be able to seal the accord before the elections.
The two groups still disagree on a number of issues. The government refuses to recognise certain ethnic armies such as the Kokang rebels, who are fighting with the military. But the ethnic armed groups want to include all parties, citing the need for the accord to be all inclusive.
The sides also disagree on who should be allowed as international observers and local witnesses to the signing of the ceasefire pact.
So far, the two groups have met over 18 months to iron out their differences. A breakthrough was achieved when they agreed to adopt a draft ceasefire accord in March this year, yet some ethnic armies are now challenging that draft and want amendments made.
Negotiators said if they cannot agree on a solution in this round, Myanmar cannot sign a national ceasefire pact as hoped by mid-next month, due to the election preparations.

- CNA/jb