Cease-fire in Myanmar
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: April 02, 2015 -

The inking of a draft cease-fire agreement between the Myanmar Government and representatives of 16 armed ethnic groups on Tuesday is likely to bring in a new era of political realignment and negotiations in the country.

Observers have also noted that the development may end the decades old turmoil caused due political violence in areas inhabited by ethnic groups.

The Kachins and the Karens have fought long drawn battles with the Myanmar Government. Mention may be made of Kachin Independence Organization and Karen National Union whose members had raised the banner of revolt demanding different shades of autonomy.

When one looks closely at the geo-political implications of the recent developments in Myanmar, it becomes clear that Naypyidaw is at least clear on its approach when faced with the imperatives of globalisation propelled by economic growth.

However, the signing of the draft peace deals also indicate the uneasy political links between minor ethnic communities and the majority Bamar constituting approximately two-thirds of the total population.

Moreover, the recent history of Myanmar is replete with imbalanced little economies while the the country’s army has stressed on dominating the border areas where most ethnic minorities live.

For instance, Kachin and Shan regions border China and Karen areas are located in Myanmar-Thailand border.

With the new turn of event, Myanmar is expected not only to deescalate military presence in these areas but also usher in an era of ironing out political differences and opt for economic prosperity.

This is why, President Thein Sein had remarked that there could be a final agreement signed with the ethnic armed oppositions “within months” which can “pave the way for political dialogue” so as to end the protracted armed conflicts.

It may be recalled that Myanmar has seen unrest since it gained independence from Britain in 1948, when insurgencies erupted among ethnic groups seeking autonomy.

However, for a country which had been ruled by the military in most part of the post-colonial phase, converting the current quasi-civilian dispensation into a fully developed democratic order may take at least some years.