Yangon : Myanmar’s government and 16 ethnic armed groups agreed today on the wording of a draft nationwide cease-fire agreement aimed at ending decades of civil unrest.
Though it was lauded as a significant step the opposing sides have tussled over words and rights over natural resources for months the continued fighting between the army and small rebel groups along the northern frontier highlighted the many challenges ahead.
“I’m really happy that the two sides have finally agreed on a single draft,” said President Thein Sein, who briefly attended the signing. “This opens the door for political dialogue and also further peace talks.”
Minutes later, representatives from the government and 16 ethnic armed groups, including the Kachin Independence Army, inked the draft accord. The specifics were not released and it remained unclear when the final cease-fire deal would be signed.
