The ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) absolutely supported the matter of single Tatmadaw, said Dr Salai Hlyan Hmone Sar Khaung, Vice Chairman of Chin National Front. 

The remarks came from the second-day session of the special meeting between the Government and Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement Signatory Ethnic Armed Organizations at the third anniversary of signing the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) at Shwe San Ein Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw.

“A good news of today is a single army. We support the idea of having a single army as there must be the single army in a country. But we will have to negotiate how to build a single Tatmadaw, how to set up it and how to work for the single army, said Dr Salai Hlyan Hmone Sar Khaung.

“We discuss non-secession and autonomy for long hours. A quite number of EAOs present a very important matter. For that reason, we need to take time for negotiation. We have 10 EAOs. The decision of the ten EAOs is not comprehensive. Give us a little time to negotiate with NCA non-signatories,” said  Dr Salai Hlyan Hmone Sar Khaung.

The leaders’ meeting between government, Tatmadaw and NCA-SEAO will be likely to meet before the end of November. 

“Before the end of November, ethnic NCA signatories will meet non-signatories. We will try to see an exact solution. This is because it is of great importance. For instance, a national-level political dialogue can’t be held in RCSS region. Without negotiating with the people, it is not easy to agree on it. We already experienced such kind of difficulty last year. If we want a durable peace, we must continue holding such meeting. We will meet before Novmeber,” said Dr Salai Hlyan Hmone Sar Khaung.

The leaders discussed the difficulties the grass-root level is facing and the discussion points. The words the leaders have never heard and difficulties are witnessed during the frank discussions, said Dr Salai Hlyan Hmone Sar Khaung.

We, ethnic leaders present the views on Tatmadaw at the meeting. The words may be the ones that the military generals have never heard. Their presentations are different from ours. In some places, it is near unexpectedly. For that reason, the leaders’ meeting is a very good sign for our country. If we carry on, it will be better for peace. We need to continue holding such kind of meeting so that it will bring benefits to us, said Dr Salai Hlyan Hmone Sar Khaung.

Translated and Edited by Win Htut