Myanmar leaders hope for progress on federal union in New Year
NAYPYIDAW, Jan 2, 2019, Myanmar Times. President U Win Myint and Vice President Henry Van Thio expressed hope in separate New Year’s Day messages that people will cooperate more with the government in establishing a federal union, reported the Myanmar Times.
The federal union is one of the key goals of the peace process, which aims to put an end to decades of conflict between the government and armed ethnic groups.
President U Win Myint appealed to the people to give more cooperation and assistance to the government’s efforts to achieve peace through the establishment of a democratic federal union.
“For peace and prosperity in our country in the future and for the tranquillity and happiness of our citizens, I wish to assure you all that our Union Government will strive with earnestness to realise our aspirations and goals,” he said.
Vice President U Henry Van Thio noted in his message the importance of establishing a democratic federal union, which is “the aspiration and hope of all ethnic people.”
“It is my fervent wish that as we enter the new year, all of you will be able to strive with energy and zeal for internal peace, which is an important factor in the establishment of a democratic federal union,” he added.
Hopes of reviving the peace process have increased since the Tatmadaw (military) unilaterally declared on December 21 a four-month ceasefire with armed ethnic groups in some parts of the country.
The ceasefire was the first ever declared by the military since the peace process was initiated in 2015 by then-president U Thein Sein.
“The Tatmadaw will cease all military operations in each command from December 21 to April 30” to allow negotiations with armed ethnic groups, said the statement issued by the Office of the Commander-in-Chief.
The ceasefire covers the Northern Command in Kachin State, the Northeastern, Eastern and Central Eastern commands, and the Triangle Command in Shan State. It does not cover Rakhine State, where the military has sporadically clashed with the Arakan Army (AA). Over 1000 villagers have fled their homes since fighting between the military and AA erupted in late November.
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