Ethnic armed groups need to participate in the peace process: military chief

Ethnic armed groups need to participate in the peace process: military chief
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing is inspecting the 5th Intake of Graduate Female Cadets of Defence Services (Army) Officers Training School (Hmawbi) (Photo-Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services)
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing is inspecting the 5th Intake of Graduate Female Cadets of Defence Services (Army) Officers Training School (Hmawbi) (Photo-Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services)
Published 27 December 2018
EMG

The Tatmadaw has suspended its military operations till April 30 2019 and ethnic armed groups need to participate in the peace process if they accept democracy and national development through national unity and solidarity, said Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services.

He was attending a ceremony to mark the 5th Intake of the Graduate Female Cadets held at the parade ground of the Defence Services (Army) Officers Training School (Hmawby) in Yangon on December 26, announced the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services.

The Senior General said that since regaining independence in 1948, Myanmar has been trying to end ethnic armed struggle stemming from different ideologies and ethnic issues. A peace offer was made towards the ethnic armed groups because ideological differences and misconceptions in ethnic affairs must be resolved within the framework of law only. All states and regions of Myanmar are inhabited by all ethnicities, not just one single national race. There is no place where rights and privileges are given to only a single nationality. The constitution gives equal rights to all national races living in Myanmar and emphasis is placed on their regional development.

“The Tatmadaw has announced a cessation of military operations until 30 April 2019. So the ethnic armed groups need to participate in the peace process if they accept democracy and national development through national unity and solidarity. The Tatmadaw will do its part to render necessary help. With armed conflicts and instability, Myanmar cannot strive its utmost to develop and has lagged behind even in the ASEAN community. To catch up with other countries, we have to take many steps forward while another takes only a step forward. In this context, we need to be united in working for the development of our country by cultivating ‘Myanmar spirit’ without regional, racial or religious discrimination. At a time when efforts are being made for peace and development of our country, you must do your bit. I want to urge you not to tarnish the national goal and the Tatmadaw’s image because of your own behaviours or words,” said the senior general.

He added unity within a military unit must be forged by considering and reviewing instigation and various attacks on the Tatmadaw. In the insurgents’ attacks on military regiments and headquarters, the ability of soldiers and their families to fight back is a good example of unity. I want to say proudly that our Tatmadaw is formed with not only nationalistic, patriotic and brave soldiers but also their wives as a major auxiliary force for the sake of our country.