By Erlina Premadani

Background

It was on Friday, that the Leader of Myanmar’s military installed the government’s offer to participate in peace talks with the ethnic groups that sought greater autonomy through armed struggle.

The statement was shared through a brief broadcast on television by Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing. In his brief explanation, he stated that he wants to meet the leaders of all ethnic armed groups in person to negotiate. The negotiation aims at ending the armed conflict across the country this year.

This great movement of Min Aung Hlaing becomes the latest series of administrations during his authority, especially for the armed ethnic organizations. Since the military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, there is no concrete progress previously.

Min Aung Hlaing has urged the ethnic armies not to support the groups opposing army rule, which have been designated as terrorists by his administration. The military generally could contain fighting in the ethnic-controlled areas, however, it has faced a broader challenge since its takeover last year.

Discussion

Previously the Central Government has battled for decades the armed groups. They hold loose control of border regions where their ethnic groups predominate. An occasional cease-fire agreement has been managed however, the armed groups look for a permanent and comprehensive political solution. This action is done as a response to their demands which are not received by Myanmar’s government.

There is a nonviolent protest against military rule and being put down with a lethal force that triggers armed resistance. Now it becomes a civil war that extends violent conflict to the peaceful areas of the country.

There are about 20 ethnic rebel armies in Myanmar which control the border territory remotely. They fought each other over the drug trade, natural resources, and autonomy. However, there was a rejection from key Ethnic groups in Myanmar to take part in the peace talks. Based on a report in The Irrawaddy, there are several representatives from several prominent ethnic armed groups who rejected the offer. The groups rejecting the peace talk offer are Karenni National Progressive Party, Karen National Union, Kachin Independence Army, and Chin National Front.

These ethnic for decades have fought for independence and greater autonomy from the central state. Since the conflict began in February 2021, 16 months after the ethnic armed groups have entered into a loose alliance with a raft of new civilian militias, namely the People’s Defense Forces (PDFs). They have opposed the military rule and attempted security forces to quash the PDFs. They have brought violent conflict to certain areas in Central Myanmar for years.

In a brief, the peace talk offered by Min Aung Hlaing to the leaders of all ethnic armed groups in person could not meet the goal. It is expected that there will be a negotiation with the leaders of the ethnic armed groups to end the armed conflict. The reason they won’t come is they do not believe the invitation is a genuine desire for peace. They wish for real peace through dialogue.

The calling for negotiation on April 22, junta chief, Snr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing personally promised to attend and gave the ethnic armies an offer until the military regime. But several ethnic armed groups as stated above rejected the offer. They even said that if there is no offering from the government, they keep unwilling to meet.

Fortunately, some armies accepted the offer, they are The United Wa State Party, the Shan State Progressive Party, and the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA). They all confirmed to attend the peace talk. Followed by the Arakan State Liberation Party, the Shan Rehabilitation Council, the Karen National Peace Council, the Democratic Karen Army, the New Mon State Party, and the Pa-O National Liberation Organization. All of them are members of the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) of NCA signatories.

Conclusion

It was stated by the Political analyst, Sai Kyi Zin that the peace talk invitation has failed since the four strongest armed groups declined the junta’s invitation to attend. Although major ethnic armed groups confirmed to attend the peace talk, it has not yet met the expectation.

Permanent Secretary of the NUG’s Defense Ministry also said that the junta is not doing well military, politically, or economically, thus they are making a fake peace invitation. The unity among the revolutionary forces nowadays is unprecedented. Therefore, the military hopes to create misunderstanding between them.

There is no valid evidence whether the junta of Myanmar did a real talk invitation for pursuing peace or just a political tactic for a certain purpose. It could be concluded that the peace talk offer of Myanmar cannot meet the expectation due to the trust issue. The ethnic armed groups lose their belief in the government of Myanmar.