CHIANG MAI, Thailand — A delegation from the ethnic armed alliance United Nationalities Federal Council will meet the government’s chief peace negotiator Dr. Tin Myo Win in Rangoon on Friday.
On Thursday, six delegates led by UNFC Secretary Khu Oo Reh will travel to Rangoon to meet the preparatory committee for the Union Peace Conference, also known as the 21st Century Panglong Conference.
The UNFC members did not sign the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) last year.
The peace conference was agreed to be held before the end of August during a meeting on Tuesday in Naypyidaw between the eight NCA signatories and State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, who is also the head of the Union Peace Joint Dialogue Committee (UPDJC).
Khu Oo Reh, also the vice chair of Karenni National Progressive Party, said the meeting is “the follow up” from the informal meeting with Dr. Tin Myo Win in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand in early June.
Khu Oo Reh said they will have to discuss when to hold a meeting between the UNFC leaders and Suu Kyi.
One of the most contentious issues—the participation of the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Arakan Army—has not yet been included in the agenda for the meeting, but government peace negotiator Tin Myo Win met with NCA non-signatories ealier this month.
Other delegates include Gen Sai Htoo of the Shan State Progressive Party, Nai Shwe Thein of the New Mon State Party, Maj Min Htun of the Arakan National Council, Col Solomon of the Lahu Democratic Union and Maj Nyi Lu of the Wa National Organization.
