Dr Aung Moe Nyo to lead NLD team to meet ethnic parties

Dr Aung Moe Nyo to lead NLD team to meet ethnic parties
Published 14 December 2020
Nyan Lin Tun

Dr Aung Moe Nyo, member of the National League for Democracy’s Central Executive Committee, will lead the NLD’s representative group due to hold talks with Myanmar’s ethnic parties, said group member In Hton Khar Naw Hsam.

He disclosed the information in response to the question about the group formation during an NLD’s CEC meeting held in Nay Pyi Taw on December 12. 

“Dr Aung Moe Nyo will lead us. We will act under his leadership and arrangements,” said Hton Khar Naw Hsam

 The NLD team is comprised of Dr Aung Moe Nyo, Nan Khin Htwe Myint and Hton Khar Naw Hsam. All of them are NLD’s CEC members.  

Dr Aung Moe Nyo was also promoted as secretariat member (3) of the NLD’s CEC in October 2019. The secretariat is the third most powerful in the party after its chair and vice chairs.

NLD spokesperson Dr Myo Nyunt said the talks would begin as soon as possible.

“It is up to their authority if they will meet groups separately or as a whole. As we have the Covid-19 outbreak, we need to consider depending on the situation. I don’t know if some will hold virtual meetings. Travelling is rather difficult now,” Dr Myo Nyunt said.  

He told the media on December 12 after the CEC meeting that his party’s plan to meet the ethnic parties is aimed at achieving consensus about a future Union style rather than the formation of a new administration.  

He however said the party will consider if they come to say who should be included in the union and regional governments.

The NLD has formed the team to meet the ethnic parties after it sent a letter to 48 ethnic parties on November 12. The letter carries three paragraphs under the title of the union affairs to be envisioned for the future Myanmar. The NLD says in the letter that it will pay attention to the ethnic minorities in the future hoping they will actively participate in the effort to build a democratic federal union.

Some ethnic parties described the NLD’s move as an constructive attitude towards the ethnic parties.

“We assume that it’s better to work closely with the ethnic parties. I think they are trying to put national reconciliation on the front,” Sai Leik, general secretary of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy.

Arakan National Party chairman Tha Tun Hla said although such a move shows a positive sign, there is no clear answer regarding the inclusion of ethnic nationalities in the formation of a new government.