• Burmese
Saturday, June 14, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
27 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home Opinion Commentary

The Burma Peace Process, as Seen by Civilians

Saw Yan Naing by Saw Yan Naing
December 16, 2013
in Uncategorized
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0 0
A A
The Burma Peace Process

Ethnic rebel leaders and government officials hold talks in Myitkyina

5.4k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Since taking office in 2011, Burma’s quasi-civilian government has been praised for introducing political and economic reforms. But in ethnic regions where decades of civil war have devastated communities, civilians say the reform package has brought much talk but little tangible progress.

International diplomats have repeatedly said that deep-rooted ethnic conflicts threaten to derail Burma’s move toward a democratic system. But ethnic minorities, who make up about 40 percent of the country’s population, say their needs have not been prioritized by the government, or by superpower nations making moves to forge closer ties with the Southeast Asian nation.

In war-affected regions, civilians say they enjoy more freedom after individual ceasefire deals were reached between the government and ethnic rebel leaders in late 2011 and early 2012. But in dozens of interviews, they also unanimously expressed doubt over ongoing peace talks, including efforts to secure a nationwide ceasefire, and said they feared clashes would continue.

RelatedPosts

Analysis: China’s More Proactive Policy Could Hold the Key to Peace in Burma

Analysis: China’s More Proactive Policy Could Hold the Key to Peace in Burma

August 3, 2016
5.2k
Analysis: Burma’s Military Remains Intolerant of Press Freedom

Analysis: Burma’s Military Remains Intolerant of Press Freedom

July 6, 2016
5.8k
Where Has Burma’s Peace Money Gone?

Where Has Burma’s Peace Money Gone?

April 1, 2016
9.2k

Due to civil wars, more than 130,000 civilians fled to neighboring Thailand and took refuge over the course of about 20 years. According to The Border Consortium (TBC), 400,000 are also living as internally displaced persons (IDPs) in 36 townships in southeast Burma. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced in northern Burma.

At the Je Yang camp for IDPs in Kachin State, more than 8,000 civilians have sought shelter since clashes broke out between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and government troops in 2011, when a 17-year ceasefire between both sides broke down.

“In my life I have fled repeatedly from war while they talked about ceasefire,” La Htaw Brang Gun, a resident at the camp, told The Irrawaddy in November. “I’m now over 60 years old. I can’t even count how many times my family and I have fled from war and been displaced.”

“We want peace, for sure. We want the peace talks to be successful. But I still have doubts because I have suffered the consequences of war repeatedly, even though a ceasefire agreement was reached in the past,” he added, referring to the KIA’s 1994 ceasefire deal.

Ethnic minority groups that have been fighting against the governments for semi-autonomy since Burma gained independence in 1948 and are believed to have more than 100,000 soldiers combined. The KIA is one of two ethnic rebel groups that has not agreed to a ceasefire with the government since late 2011. But ceasefires are not always a sure sign of peace: In Shan State, for example, clashes have continued between government troops and the Shan State Army-North (SSA-N) or the Shan State Army-South (SSA-S), in contravention of ceasefires.

In January next year, rebel leaders and the government plan to meet again for talks, perhaps to push forward with a consolidated nationwide ceasefire agreement. But some Burma watchers are growing skeptical. Veteran Swedish journalist Bertil Lintner, the author of several books on Burma, said ethnic groups and the government have exchanged draft proposals for a nationwide agreement, but added that their demands are incompatible.

He said a main problem was that the Myanmar Peace Center (MPC), a government-affiliated organization that brings together ethnic and government leaders for negotiations, had no other mandate but to encourage ethnic armed groups to sign ceasefire agreements in exchange for economic benefits.

“That can never be the way forward,” he told The Irrawaddy. “No progress can be made until and unless political talks are held. Simply trying to bribe the leaders of the ethnic armed groups is not going to work. It will only create splits within those organizations.”

In some cases, civilians have criticized the dominant role of economic development in individual peace deals. As part of agreements, the government has offered business projects to rebel groups, with critics saying that projects will pad pockets at the top without offering real benefits to the majority of local people. In Karen State, the Karen National Union (KNU) received tax-exempt car licenses from the government, a gesture seen by some observers as bribery. Such offers have also led to internal divisions among ethnic leaders, with some supporting closer connections with Naypyidaw and others taking a more hardline approach.

Soe Aung, a spokesman for the Forum for Democracy in Burma (FDB), a Burmese opposition organization, called on the government and ethnic rebel leaders to agree on terms that would be beneficial to civilians, who were victims of forced labor, displacement, sexual assault and other violence during the wars.

“It seems to me that the regime’s terms are imposed to have an absolute upper hand over the ethnic armed groups,” he told The Irrawaddy. “Under such circumstances, there is no way that these peace negotiations can be successful in our lifetime.”

Among differing demands, the government has asked ethnic armed groups to disarm, while ethnic leaders have proposed the creation of a federal army combining 100,000 ethnic soldiers with the current 400,000-member government army. Ethnic groups have also called for constitutional amendments to create a federalist system, which would give more power to individual ethnic states.

Other key issues for civilians have seen little or no progress, as displaced families say they need assistance to return home, resolve land disputes and find employment. Land mines also continue to pose a major problem for their safe return.

Some observers worry that a nationwide ceasefire deal would earn the government praise internationally without actually offering many assurances to civilians on the ground. “Ethnic groups should make stronger demands,” said Aung Kyaw Zaw, a Burmese observer based on the China-Burma border. “They should initiate plans by themselves. They should not follow the government’s set-up plans.”

Your Thoughts …
Tags: News Analysis
Saw Yan Naing

Saw Yan Naing

The Irrawaddy

Similar Picks:

In Israel and Elsewhere
Burma

In Israel and Elsewhere, Burma Army Sees Fruits of Reform

by Saw Yan Naing
September 22, 2015
5.6k

Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing’s recent visit to Israel underscores the Burma Army’s increasingly palatable brand on the world stage.

Read moreDetails
Why Did the KNU Withdraw From the UNFC?
Opinion

Why Did the KNU Withdraw From the UNFC?

by Saw Yan Naing
September 3, 2014
7.6k

A power struggle may underlie the Karen National Union’s decision to temporarily suspend its membership in the ethnic umbrella organization...

Read moreDetails
Winners and Losers of the White Card’s Demise
Burma

Winners and Losers of the White Card’s Demise

by Lawi Weng
March 9, 2015
6.3k

The government’s decision to revoke temporary identity cards for 1.5 million people in Burma could presage the rise of ethnic...

Read moreDetails
Where Has Burma’s Peace Money Gone?
Burma

Where Has Burma’s Peace Money Gone?

by Saw Yan Naing
April 1, 2016
9.2k

Questions linger about aid transparency in the peace process and how donors can better support local ethnic infrastructure over government...

Read moreDetails
Analysis: Burma’s Military Remains Intolerant of Press Freedom
Burma

Analysis: Burma’s Military Remains Intolerant of Press Freedom

by San Yamin Aung
July 6, 2016
5.8k

Recent incidents highlight the military’s wariness of press freedom, fearing a negative portrayal of its institution.

Read moreDetails
Analysis: New Lawmakers
Burma

Analysis: New Lawmakers, Same Silencing of Burma’s LGBTQ Citizens?

by Brandon Tensley
February 11, 2016
4.6k

Despite last week’s sea change in the Union Parliament, it is unclear if Burma’s LGBTQ citizens will find long-sought support...

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Rangoon Parliament Rejects Plans to Open Homes for the Aged

Rangoon Parliament Rejects Plans to Open Homes for the Aged

Burma’s Women More Likely to Take Football Gold

Burma’s Women More Likely to Take Football Gold

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Will Myanmar’s Military Replace Its Embattled Leader?

Will Myanmar’s Military Replace Its Embattled Leader?

1 week ago
2.5k
How the Myanmar Military’s Propaganda Efforts Have Evolved Over the Decades

How the Myanmar Military’s Propaganda Efforts Have Evolved Over the Decades

3 days ago
967

Most Read

  • Untested Commander Takes Charge as Myanmar Military Faces Toughest Challenge in Decades

    Untested Commander Takes Charge as Myanmar Military Faces Toughest Challenge in Decades

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Tourism Sector Mocks Junta’s Russia Tourist Drive

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Is TNLA, Under Chinese Pressure, Conceding Northern Shan Gateway to the Regime?

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Sagaing Region Braced for Myanmar Junta Airstrikes After Jet Crash

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Advances into Karenni State

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.