U Aung Min urges flexible NCA political framework

By BNI
16 December 2015
U Aung Min urges flexible NCA political framework
Union Minister U Aung Min. Photo: Mizzima

The Union Minister U Aung Min urged the development of a flexible nationwide ceasefire political framework to make it easy for the new government to take over the peace process.
The framework is being developed as stipulated in the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) signed on 15 October between the government and eight ethnic armed organisations (EAOs).
The NCA states that a political framework defining how political dialogue will be carried out has to be drawn up and agreed upon within 60 days of the NCA signing, which means no later than 14 December. Political dialogue must then start no later than 90 days after the NCA signing, which means no later than 14 January.
U Aung Min said: “We have difficulties with the peace programme that we are carrying out. Because we have limited time, there will be weaknesses in the programme when it is implemented. But, we would like everyone to understand our situation, from our side we are not blocking anything. Let me again remind you, it’s not easy to achieve the NCA. In order not to violate any points of the NCA timeline, and to get the majority’s acceptance we must cooperate to move forward. The framework that is implemented should be one that is easy to change and easy to fix so that it won’t be difficult for the new government.”
U Aung Min, who is also the vice-chairman of the Union Peace-Making Working Committee (UPWC), made the comment at the tri-dialogue conference at the Myanmar Peace Center (MPC) on 24 November.
The parameters of the political framework that have to be agreed upon by all parties are: the total number of participants in the political dialogue, the ratio of participants each party taking part in the dialogue is entitled to, the rules of discussion and how decisions should be taken.
A Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Committee (JCMC) and a Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC) made up of representatives from the government, EAOS and political parties were also established within 30 days of the NCA signing as stipulated by the NCA.
Courtesy of BNI