Putting an end to civil war is the very first requirement of Myanmar, said Dr. Salai Lian Hmung Sakhong, vice chairman of Chin National Front (CNF). 

The remark was made in an interview with him on union building principles based on democracy and federalism posted on the Facebook page of NCA-S EAO. 

“As far as I am concerned, ending civil war is the first and foremost requirement of our nation,” he said. 

With the inability to end civil war and implement the Panglong agreement, democracy, equality and autonomy as well as development are impossible, he commented. 

“Development tasks cannot be implemented for a long time in places with wars and battles, in other words, in places without stability,” he added. 

 So long as civil war or armed conflict exists, foreign investment will not come as much as expected. If there is any investment, it will come to the mainland only like regions (not states). Then, there will be an economic development gap, he said. 

The common political aim in the NCA (Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement) is crucial. It is mentioned in paragraph-1 of Chapter-1 of the NCA, he pointed out. 

“In the fourth point (of the paragraph), ethnic nationals have made their demands after 70 years of their armed revolution. They are democracy, equality and self-administration. They are committed to the establishment of a federal union to fully enjoy these rights. This is our common political aim. We must work together. If the government, the parliament, the military and ethnic armed organizations are able to realize this aim, we must also be able to terminate 70 years of civil war,” said Dr. Salai Lian Hmung Sakhong.