By TON Research Desk

Since its independence, Myanmar has been troubled by ongoing violence between Myanmar’s ethnic minorities, the majority Bamar and the military regime. The country’s various ethnic minority groups together representing about a third of the population have been sidelined, resulting in roughly 20 EAOs that have conducted periodic rebellions.

Currently, the National Unity Government (NUG) has announced that the Peace Talks of Myanmar Régime with Ethnic Armies is unlawful because the regime has usurped the democratic process and values in Myanmar.

In Myanmar, the ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) are a variety of rebel groups that range in size from minor forces numbering in the hundreds to higher organizations arranging several thousand well-armed fighters.

On Wednesday, Myanmar’s parallel National Unity Government (NUG) announced that any agreements made with the terrorist regime are illegal and warned that they won’t be recognized, as the junta sustained to hold talks with a number of ethnic armed organizations (EAO).

After the regime coup, Myanmar has promptly subverted into widespread protests and haphazard ferocity. Myanmar is still in turmoil with the imprisonment of thousands of civilian deaths and killings since the military (Tatmadaw) overthrew a democratically elected government on 1 February 2021.

The role of Myanmar’s ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) choose to adopt could become key to the country’s long-term stability. As situation descended into outright civil war and having profound implications not only for the people of Myanmar but also for regional stability

After the start of dialogue and political solutions, the role of groups with armed forces became more prominent. The post-coup stances of Myanmar’s nearly two dozen ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) that have fought against the military regime will be a determinant in the country’s future.

Recently, the United Wa State Party (UWSP), the political wing of the United Wa State Army (UWSA), the country’s most powerful EAO, met with the junta chief Senior General. After the meeting, the regime said that the UWSP agreed on the principle of establishing a federal democracy and that it agreed in principle to the UWSP’s demand for an autonomous state for ethnic Wa people.

The eastern Shan State-based UWSP is the fourth EAO to hold talks with the regime, following the Restoration Council of Shan State, the New Mon State Party and the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army – Peace Council. In earlier meetings, the parties were reported to have discussed establishing a federal multi-party democracy and to have reached some general “agreements”.

On Wednesday, the NUG, which has wide public support and backing overseas, said in a categorical statement that the military regime is a terrorist organization that will be tried at the International Court of Justice for committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

The NUG has also said that regime has no de jure power mandated by the people or de facto power to govern the country. Since last year’s coup, the junta has killed at least 1,878 people and detained around 14,000 more. The NUG declared the regime a terrorist organization in June 2021.

The National Unity Government (NUG) further said that regime has no moral and legal right to negotiate with contracting parties like a union government. Therefore any negotiations with the terrorist regime are illegal and won’t be recognized by the NUG and any of its successors.

Overwhelmed by increasing equipped confrontation across the country, coup leader invited leaders of ethnic armed organizations (EAO) who are both signatories and non-signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) for talks in late May “to finish equipped fight”.

Seven of the ten signatories to the NCA accepted the invitation and the non-signatories the Shan State Progress Party, the UWSP, and the National Democratic Alliance Army. Other major EAOs are currently fighting the regime and rejected the junta’s offer of peace talks by calling it non genuine. However, peace and harmony looks faded unless and until the participation of National Unity Government (NUG) in this whole process.