Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News

The journey for peace takes first step

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 01:30 AM PDT

Dr Hannes Siebert who has been involved in several peace process around the globe including Burma/Myanmar told listeners at the Chiangmai University last year that what was taking place at that time, that is, the negotiations between the government-established Union Peacemaking Work Committee (UPWC) and the Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs)' Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team(NCCT) could be compared to a long honeymoon. That the real work would come after it.

He was right. The Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) draft was 'successfully' finalized on 31 March after 17 months of negotiations. But it still awaits official endorsement both by the government and each of the EAOs. The latter is also planning to hold a Summit among themselves to make the final decision before inking it.

Moreover, the signing ceremony, to be witnessed by the UN,ASEAN, China and other foreign powers doesn't necessarily mean there will be instant peace in the country although the signing will be taking a major step forward in that direction.

According to the finalized draft, a 7step roadmap to peace has been agreed:
1. Signing of the NCA
2. Negotiations and agreement on the Framework for Political Dialogue within 60 days after the NCA signing (Negotiations on Code of Conduct and Joint Monitoring Mechanism to be completed within 30 days)
3. Launching of the Political Dialogue within 90 days after the NCA signing
4. Convening of Union Peace Conference
5. Signing of Union Peace Accord (UPA)
6. Submission to the Union Assembly for approval
7. Implementation of the UPA

Clearly both sides have their work cut out for them, especially due to the pressing time factor. The elections are going to be held in November. Two months before it would be prioritized on the poll campaigns by the contesting parties. There are only 5 months, counting April to complete the first three steps if the process is to be assured of continuation after the elections and a new Union Assembly and new government are installed, according to one informed observer:

April- May  Signing of NCA
June- July  Agreement secured  on the Framework
August        Launching of the political dialogue which will include setting up of work committees for each dialogue topics to be discussed after March 2016

" Could they be accomplished before September 2015? is a big question," said the observer. "If not, there is understandable concern that all that has been done the past 4 years might be wasted."

One sticky problem is the government might not agree to the EAOs' demand that groups that remain unrecognized by the government be permitted to sign the NCA thus preventing them becoming spoilers. They are Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA),Arakan Army(AA),Arakan National Council(ANC), Lahu Democratic Union(LDU) and Wa National Organization(WNO), among others.

Some of the clauses might also be demanded by other stakeholders for amendment, such as 20b. that government and EAO representatives will draft and conclude agreement on the Framework for Political Dialogue.

Meanwhile the NCA is not without positive features. "There are at least 3 guarantees : Federalism, Exemption from Unlawful Associations Act, and Political Dialogue," said U Aung Min, the government's principal negotiator. "What more do we need at this stage?"

Maybe he's right. Maybe he's not. What about the NCA? Will it be observed by both parties?
What will happen if one side fails to abide by it?

Naypyidaw orders demonstrations across Shan State in support of peace process

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 01:27 AM PDT

Government-backed demonstrations in support of the peace process have been held across Shan State since the start of April.










On April 6, over 10,000 government officials, school teachers, and citizens gathered in the central town of capital Taunggyi to show their support for the ongoing peace process between the Burmese government and ethnic armed groups.

An official from the Health Department said that the demonstration was held at the Taunggyi football stadium. The attendees of the demonstration included Taunggyi residents from 22 tracts, as well as members of government agencies and social organizations. People from villages outside Taunggyi such as Dong Lealong, Ban Din, Nam See, Nong Lur, and Pa Mon, also joined the march.

The demonstration was to support the draft nationwide ceasefire agreement that has been signed by the Union Peace Making Committee (UPWC) and Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT) on 31 March.

A Shan State government office director, Kaung San Oo denied that the government was behind the demonstration: "This demonstration is held by the people. It's their will to raise their concern for the peace process. The government did not order them to participate. We [government] only provided them with advice and assistance."

Since April, thousands of citizens across Shan State such as Lang Khur, Loi Lem, Kun Hing, Lashio, Muse, Kyawkme, Tachilek, Kengtung, Mongsat, and Mongton, have gathered on the streets of their respective areas to show their support for the peace process in Burma.

 "We also marched on the street in Loi Lem on April 6, from 8 o'clock in the morning. More than 3,000 people from Panglong, Loi Lem, and Mong Pawn participated in the demonstration but many people complained they were hungry because they didn't have breakfast. We joined the march because the village head told us to join," a 50-year-old man from Loi Lem Township said. "People in Kyawkme got 1,500 kyats for participating."

According to a Namkham resident, the head of Namkham township sent a letter to sub-tract heads, ordering citizens to participate in a demonstration.

Drug addict kills himself after murdering his wife

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 07:25 AM PDT

A drug addict killed himself after murdering his wife in Kong Maklang village, Tangyan township, northern Shan State.


30-year-old Maungsi stabbed his wife, Aye Na Mee, in the heart with a knife on 29 March at 8 pm.  He then attacked his three-year-old son and father-in-law, seriously wounding them, according to a Tangyan township resident named Sai Sai.
Both the young son, who was stabbed in the neck, and father-in-law have been taken to Tangyan hospital.


Sai Sarng Kin, a village head from Mong Kao township, said that neighbors heard cries coming from Maungsi's house, and found him trying to kill his son and father-in-law, but Aye Na Mee was already dead.  They tried to help by throwing stones into the house. When Maungsi saw the neighbors entering his house, he stabbed himself to death in the heart.


According to residents of Nam Lao village, drugs have become more widespread in northern Shan State due to increased conflict between ethnic armed groups and the government military. Many young men are now addicted to drugs, due to their easy availability, and this is causing frequent drug-related violence.





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