RANGOON — Outgoing President Thein Sein attended the Naga New Year festival on Friday and into the weekend, when, donned in traditional Naga attire, he called on Burma’s citizens to come together in unity.
While the Union Peace Conference continued in the capital Naypyidaw, Thein Sein, along with Burma Army commander-in-chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and other top military officials, participated in Naga New Year celebrations at the Shwepyitha sports ground in Lahe village, located in the Naga Self-Administered Zone, Sagaing Division. Photographs of the event show the leaders receiving traditional hats and a lance, and observing and participating in other festivities.
According to the President’s Office website, Thein Sein called for collaboration between local people and the state in ongoing efforts to generate and sustain peace and to develop various sectors, from tourism and trade to creating job opportunities and ensuring access to drinking water.
“So long as mutual respect between Union brethren exists with a strong sense of belonging to the country, all the national races can co-exist forever in unity,” he was quoted as saying.
