RSUSCI-2022 & RSUSOC-2022
IN22-037 Examining the Peace Process in Myanmar: A Case Study of Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) Related to the 2021 Military Coup
Presenter: Abrahan -
Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies, Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies, Rangsit University
Abstract
Peace negotiation processes come along with the civil war that has been happening since 1948 up to the present in Myanmar. The peace process called Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) is the latest peace paper that has been agreed upon between some Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) and the Burmese military. This research aims to find out the barriers to the peace process and analyze whether NCA is the best solution for the ethnic conflict. This paper used qualitative research methods to collect the data. Approximately, four participants, who were the ethnic leaders from Karenni National Progress Party (KNPP) and an activist from 8888 former students, were interviewed. This research found three main obstacles that delay the peace process. The absence of the Panglong Agreement is considered one of the main problems. Then, the 2008 constitution, which is created by military leaders, also stop the EAOs to sign NCA. The last obstacle is the current political crisis which started on February 1, 2021, military coup. Because of the recent military coup, some NCA signatory groups fight back against the military with the new emerging People Defense Force (PDF) around the country. Therefore, the peace process through the NCA would not be the best solution to the Myanmar Ethnic conflict. It could be considered a failed agreement.