The New Mon State Party (NMSP) signed a four-point preliminary peace agreement with the Burmese Union government on Sunday. The four points concern seeking ethnic peace across the country, holding political talks within 45 days, coordination on regional development deals in the sectors of education, social affairs, health and ethnic affairs, the release of all political prisons and granting open access to political parties, nongovernmental organizations and the media.
So far, nine ethnic armed groups out of 11 have reached preliminary peace pacts with the government at respective levels. The groups are the United Wa State Army (UWSA) in Shan State (North) Special Region-2, the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) in Mongla Special Region-4, Koloh Htoo Baw armed group in Kayin state, Chin National Front (CNF) in northwestern Chin state, the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) of Shan State Army (SSA)-South, Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) of SSA-North, Kayin National Union (KNU) and the Kayin National Liberation Army (KNLA) in Kayin state.
In other peace negotiation news, talks between the central government and the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) were underway in Ruili, China, but after two months no agreement has been achieved.
President Thein Sein told all armed ethnic groups in August 2011 that peace negotiations would be carried out in three steps: first a cease-fire, second, set up liaison offices and travel regulations, signing regional development deals, followed by agreements in Parliament. The government has conducted a rash of peace negotiations in hope of ending all armed conflicts prior to the April 1 by-election.
Min Nay Win (aka Nai Yekha) and Min Myo Thwe are currently serving life sentences.
2012.02.27 Mizzima - new-mon-state-party-agrees-to-peace-deal