According to estimates, the groups that signed represent 16,000 fighters, while there are 48,000 under the command of groups that refused to sign.
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Many ethnic armies have been fighting since the country gained independence from the British in 1948, and experts say continued civil unrest is slowing development in one of the region’s poorest countries. At the ceremony today in the capital, Naypyitaw, President Thein Sein called it a “historic gift” to future generations.
“The government and Tatmadaw (Myanmar’s army) really have to come through and stick to the agreement”.
All of the groups signing were removed this week by the government from its list of Unlawful Associations.
Despite the president’s optimism, however, large parts of Christian-majority Kachin state, in Myanmar’s north, effectively remain in a state of civil war. “When there are groups with weapons on the ground, it’s very hard to ascertain who shoots first”, he said.
Myanmar recognises 15 separate rebel armies, although several smaller groups exist. “The crucial thing is to end fighting and make a cease-fire agreement”. “What is really important is to establish mechanisms to end the war, and to start political negotiations, these are really important”.
Under the terms of the ceasefire, the parties are to start political dialogue on national reconciliations 90 days after the deal being inked.
“The deal has also raised concerns about the sincerity of the government’s attitude in not allowing a few ethnic groups to be involved in the cease-fire agreement”.
This week, state media broadcast the arrival of the leaders of armed ethnic groups, who hugged army officers, their former enemies.
“This NCA is not the government’s proposal. We all agree on this”, he said, adding that a few groups simply had a “different approach” and could join the agreement later. Though they have all signed what is still being referred to as the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, few groups can be said to stand firmly behind the deal as it exists now.
The Karen National Union has defended itself against criticism that it succumbed to a government strategy of “divide and rule” by agreeing to sign a ceasefire without its negotiating partners.
The United Nations remains prepared to contribute to the next stage of the peace process in accordance with the unified expectations of all stakeholders, he said. The KIA was formed in the 1960s, when Kachin forces withdrew from the Burmese army, organising under the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO).
In fact, there are reports that an NSCN(K) camp used for launching attacks on Indian territory was dismantled by Myanmar security forces last week. If we leave a few groups behind, how can we have a political dialogue and be happy? In 1989, Burma’s government signed a peace agreement with the Kokang, but there’s been fighting five times since then.
Also at the briefing, Sun Guoxiang, special envoy of China on Asian affairs, stressed that China always attached importance to Myanmar’s peace process and had actively pushed forward the process.
In response, the United States suspended most of its economic sanctions, while European Union and countries including Australia and Canada have lifted them entirely. “We want an inclusive NCA”.
And he went on to urge all stakeholders, signatories and non-signatories, to work together for a peaceful future in a constructive and forward-looking spirit, saying this will require cooperation, determination and a commitment to reinforce trust and overcome the grievances of the past.
The ethnic groups are already deeply divided over the deal.
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It was witnessed by local and global observers from countries such as China, Japan, India and Thailand.
