Although discussions for signing bilateral ceasefire agreement between government and Northern Alliance Army had been held, it isn’t agreed to designate the venue, said Lamai Gum Ja from Peace Group at the Kachin Independence Organization (PCG) yesterday.

The Northern Alliance Army is composed of four ethnic armed groups: the Arakan Army (AA), the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the Myanmar Democratic Alliance Army (MDAA) and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).

Government finally met with the Northern Alliance Army at the Kengtung Township, eastern Shan State, on September 17th aiming to sign the bilateral ceasefire agreement.

At the meeting, they agreed to hold the meeting again in October but it is still delayed.

The Northern Alliance Army suggested that they wanted to hold the meeting at Mongla, Special Region-4 in eastern Shan State or Muse Township, northern Shan State. But, government desired to a meeting at Kengtung, according to Lamai Gum Ja.

Although negotiations between government and northern alliance army were held for signing ceasefire agreement, there are ongoing clashes between government’s army and AA so also between army and TNLA. 

With the aim to sign ceasefire agreement, the meetings between government and northern alliance army were held in Kumming, China, in February, last year, in Muse Township, northern Shan State on April 30th, in Mongla Township, eastern Shan State, on June 30th, in Kengtung Township, eastern Shan State on August 30th and on September 17th.

During the meetings, some agreements were gained but the main issues concerning the military are under negotiations.

KIO/KIA Spokesperson Col. Naw Bu confirmed that the northern alliance army would be signing the agreement at only place in the same time.