Republic of the Union of Myanmar
Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services
Statement on Ceasefire and Eternal Peace
(14th Waxing of Nadaw, 1380 ME)
(21, December, 2018)
1. In their joint statement of 12 December, 2018, MNTJP, PSLF and ULA, regarding the Myanmar’s peace process, issued an announcement that they would halt military operations and continue engaging in national reconciliation and peace process through political means. The Peace Commission of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, on the same day, released a statement, saying that it welcomed that joint statement and that it would negotiate with them to sign bilateral ceasefire agreements and start political dialogue.
2. With regard to this, the Tatmadaw deems it necessary to hold separate talks with all the ethnic non-signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in areas of Northern Command, North Eastern Command, Eastern Command, Eastern Central Command and Triangle Region Command.
3. To facilitate the start of negotiations, the Tatmadaw will halt all of its military activities from 21 December, 2018 to 30 April 2019 in respective theaters. During that period, ethnic armed organizations in respective theaters are to hold talks on peace including ceasefire with National Reconciliation and Peace Center. If necessary, the following negotiation team led by Lt-Gen Yar Pyae and consisting senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) and commanders of respective regional commands from the
Tatmadaw will hold talks:-
(a) Lt-Gen Yar Pyae Chairman
(b) Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung Member
(c) Lt-Gen Than Tun Oo Member
(d) Lt-Gen Aye Win Member
(e) Lt-Gen Aung Soe Member
(f) Lt-Gen Aung Lin Dwe Member
(g) Concerned Command Commander Member
(h) Lt-Gen Tin Maung Win Secretary
4. At the same time, the Tatmadaw will continue talks with 10 ethnic NCA signatories according to the provisions enshrined in the NCA, and if necessary the negotiation team will hold talks with them individually.
5. While the Tatmadaw has offered talks for ceasefire and eternal peace, in good faith, all ethnic armed organizations are advised to put special emphasis on four out of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services’ “six-point peace principle” to the letter, which are :-
(a) Commitment to agreements
(b) Abstaining from misusing the peace agreement
(c) Not to place burden on local populace
(d) Abidance to existing laws
6. Moreover, ethnic armed organizations are urged to exercise restraint in order to avoid fighting with each other and not to oppress local ethnic people, which must be overseen by all with accountability.
7. Similarly, ethnic armed organizations must take responsibility not to disrupt the functioning of different levels of the government’s administrative mechanism and smooth transportation, and not to harm the lives and property of the people.
8. The Tatmadaw will take necessary action to mitigate if paragraphs 5, 6 and 7 are violated.
9. It is important to settle displaced persons in conflict areas back to their homes as soon as possible. The Tatmadaw will provide assistance as necessary in that regard.
10. The Tatmadaw will do its best to facilitate productive talks on ceasefire and peace and undertakings for socio-economic development of ethnic regions.
11. The Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services pledged to the NCA signatories and non-signatories at the exclusive meeting of the 3rd anniversary of the signing of NCA that “The Tatmadaw is committed to accomplish the peace process by 2020. The Tatmadaw will honour this commitment and hand over eternal peace, the aspiration of the national people, to the hands of the people.” All the ethnic armed organizations are urged to make the same pledge and accomplish the process for security reintegration and signing of the Union Accord.
