The government has invited seven ethnics armed groups (EAOs) including the Arakan Army (AA) and the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), to attend the peace talk.

The National Reconciliation and Peace Centre (NRPC), chaired by Myanmar State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, sent out invitation letters dated March 13 to non-NCA signatories attend the peace talk scheduled to take place on March 21  in Nay Pyi Taw.

The non-NCA signatories are: the United Wa State Army (UWSA), the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the AA and the KNPP.

Eight EAOs will have to attend one leader and one member each.

The fact that on March 22, the Tatmadaw will meet with each EAO according to the announcement dated December 21, 2018, is described in the invitation letter. The EAOs which want to meet with the Tatmadaw need to report it in advance.

Nyi Yan, officer in-charge of Lashio relations of UWSA said: “I don’t whether other organizations receive the invitation letter or not.  The UWSA has received the invitation letter. At present, we have not decided who will attend the peace talk. The headquarters will decided whether we meet with the Tatmadaw.

Of eight EAOs, the SSPP officially met with the NRPC on February 22 and the Tatmadaw coordination team on February 25.

Currently, there are ongoing fights between the Tatmadaw and the AA.