Suu Kyi warns ethnic organisations over signing NCA

27 August 2015
Suu Kyi warns ethnic organisations over signing NCA
NLD Chairperson Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and members of the United Nationalities Federal Council talk to the media after their meeting at Suu Kyi's house in Yangon on 25 November, 2013. Photo: Mizzima

Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has warned armed ethnic minority groups not to rush into signing a nationwide cease-fire agreement (NCA), a top party colleague said Wednesday, a position that pits her against President Thein Sein, who has made reaching a deal before November elections his top priority AP reported on 26 August.
Win Htein, an executive of the opposition National League for Democracy, said party leader Suu Kyi expressed her opinion at a Saturday meeting with Saw Htoo Htoo Lay of the Karen National Union, which has announced it is ready to sign. The KNU is one of the biggest ethnic minority groups that have been fighting the central government for decades to win greater autonomy.
"Suu Kyi said ethnic groups will have to consider not signing the nationwide cease-fire agreement before the Nov. 8 general election," he said. "It has to be meaningful."
Suu Kyi has so far stayed largely silent on the issue. But with elections around the corner and her party widely expected to win a majority of the seats, she has begun speaking out more on some issues. A ceasefire deal before the election could boost the prospects of Thein Sein's ruling party, the NLD's main opponent.