In Burma, the head of the junta calls on the armed ethnic groups to dialogue
Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing Naypyidaw March 27, 2021. REUTERS - Stringer.
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In Burma, the head of the junta changes his tone in the face of the many ethnic factions which are fighting a bloody battle with the central government: this Friday, Min Aung Hlaing called on them to start peace talks.
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In a speech broadcast by state media, the head of the Burmese junta invited the leaders of the armed groups to dialogue.
Min Aung Hlaing assures that he will meet them personally and invites them to come forward before May 9.
This initiative looks like a volte-face by the man who, last month, had again threatened to “
annihilate
” his opponents.
But it is clear that the junta is unable to control Burmese territory.
In 2015, the army had, admittedly, reached a ceasefire agreement with ten of the twenty ethnic factions which are fighting for more autonomy, access to numerous natural resources and a share of the lucrative drug trade. .
But after the February 1, 2021 coup, some of these groups took up arms again.
This Friday KNU, one of Burma's largest ethnic factions, expressed skepticism.
Difficult for her to consider peace talks, while the junta continues its air strikes and the military seem for the moment to refuse any withdrawal of troops.
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