Myanmar's second-largest rebel group calls for talks with military government

(CLO) One of Myanmar's largest ethnic rebel groups said it is ready to enter peace talks with the country's military government to end more than a year of devastating fighting in border areas with China.

In a statement released late on December 3, the Myanmar National Alliance Army (MNDAA) rebel group announced: "From today onwards, we will immediately cease fire and will not actively attack the Myanmar military."

“We are ready to engage in peace talks with the Myanmar military on issues such as Lashio under the mediation of China,” the statement said, referring to the city of Lashio that MNDAA fighters suddenly captured in August.

MNDAA said it was "ready to send a high-level delegation to engage in dialogue and consultation with the Myanmar military, as well as resolve conflicts and differences through political means".

Members of the ethnic armed group Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) in Lashio, Shan State, Myanmar. Photo: AFP

The MNDAA, a force of about 8,000 fighters, has been fighting the Myanmar military for more than a decade to gain autonomy for the Kokang ethnic minority community in northern Shan state.

Last year, the MNDAA, along with two other allied rebel groups, launched attacks on the Myanmar military and seized large swaths of land in Shan state, including ruby mines and a key trade route linking Myanmar to China.

Last week, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), an ally of the MNDAA, also expressed its willingness to enter into negotiations with the military government.

The Arakan Army (AA), a third rebel group in the alliance, continues to fight the Myanmar military in Myanmar’s western coastal state of Rakhine, home to key port projects backed by China and India.

In recent years, China has repeatedly called for an end to fighting in Shan State, a strategically important area in its trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative.

Myanmar is home to dozens of ethnic groups that have fought for decades against the Myanmar military for autonomy and control of its rich natural resources, including jade, timber and opium.

Ngoc Anh (according to AFP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nhom-phien-quan-lon-myanmar-keu-goi-dam-phan-voi-chinh-quyen-quan-su-post324135.html