Ongoing skirmishes threaten to derail ceasefire plan

Ongoing skirmishes threaten to derail ceasefire plan

Published on Friday, 04 October 2013 01:07

No substantial ceasefire agreement has yet been reached between the Myanmar government and ethnic armed groups after holding ten peace meetings in September alone.

In the same month, fifteen skirmishes broke out between the Myanmar army and various armed groups from different ethnic areas, according to the Myanmar Peace Monitor.

Most of the clashes were between the army and the Ta'aung National Liberation Army (TNLA). The army also engaged in various fire fights with the Shan State Army, Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).

Despite repeated clashes, the government continues to push ahead with its peace agenda. Negotiations are ongoing with the Union Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) - a coalition of 11 ethnic armed groups founded in February 2011.

The government has also engaged in separate talks with the United WA State Army/United WA State Party (UWSA/UWSP), the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) and the Arakan Liberation Party/Arakan Liberation Army (ALP/ALA).

CIVIL WAR TO NATION-WIDE CEASEFIRE

Myanmar has been embroiled in a protracted civil war with various ethnic insurgencies since independence in 1948. President Thein Sein has made it a part of his government's reform process to engage in efforts to bring about a nation-wide ceasefire, the first step towards securing a sustainable peace.

Such efforts have been widely applauded internationally, attracting over US$ 5.2 billion in foreign aid directed at development and the peace process. However, negotiations with a medley of ethnic coalitions and alliances seem to be making little headway.

Many ethnic armed groups see political discussions - leading to constitutional reforms and some level federal autonomy — as a prerequisite to signing a nation-wide ceasefire. Other ethnic parties who have been more or less aligned with the government, are happy to engage with parliament and negotiate a political bargain once a ceasefire is in place.

But as the government Union Peace-making Committee pushes to sign a ceremonious nation-wide ceasefire agreement in the capital Nay Pyi Taw sometime in October, hostilities abound between the army and armed groups only sowing more mistrust in an already fragile process.

DEVELOPMENT AID VS PEACE PROCESS

Myanmar's peace process is highly complex given the large number of actors involved. Despite this, foreign governments and international aid agencies seem overly keen to get involved, throwing more money at development projects and the peace process before any binding agreement has been signed between warring groups.

Switzerland recently donated 35 million Swiss Francs (US$ 38 million) towards the peace process. Asia Development Bank and Japan have provided US$ 1.5 million to upgrade transportation access in conflict-prone Kayin State and further US$ 1.3 million for transport sectors in other states and regions, and the World Bank has committed US$ 80 million for community driven development projects.

Myanmar is in desperate need of economic development and such aid is necessary to help the country recover after decades of economic decline and conflict. However, development aid to conflict affected areas may also hamper an already complex peace process before there is an end to hostilities, an inclusive nation-wide ceasefire and reconciliation efforts underway.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/10/04/ongoing-skirmishes-threaten-to-derail-ceasefire-plan/