The Year 2019 has retired, and the New Year 2020 will see the General Election and series of peace negotiations.
The following excerpts are wishes of peace negotiators of Myanmar.
U Hla Maung Shwe
Secretary of Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee and Member of Peace Commission Advisory Board
I would like to convey a New Year’s good message that we could increase momentum of peace process beginning early 2020. The first formal meeting will be held in the second week of January, and the Ethnic Armed Organizations signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) will work together for holding Union Peace Conference, while the Peace Commission and the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre (NRPC) will negotiate with non-signatories in NCA in 2020. May all the citizens be happy and healthy in 2020, and secure a peaceful life. I would also like to invite all to take part in the peace making process.
Saw Mya Yarzar Lin
Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team, Secretary of Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) and the UPDJC
May all the ethnic people be happy and wealthy in 2020. Peace is very important for our country. Our people will suffer great miseries if we could not secure peace. Rakhine issue is more serious. Conflicts must be ended for public security. All the stakeholders in ceasefire process are urged to consider about the welfare of country.
Khun Myint Tun
Vice Chairman of Pa-O National Liberation Organization
There are two significant points in the ongoing peace process. The first one is the process relies on political dialogue. The second one is based on public participation. Both political dialogue and political reform are simultaneously required for peace. These processes must not be entrusted only to the leaders and armed organizations. All the people must take part in the process.
U Myo Win
Vice Chairperson of All Burma Students’ Democratic Front and member of UPDJC
We will exert more efforts in national reconciliation and internal peace. All the stakeholders in peace process need to consider the public welfares in the new year. Grudge and aggression must be reduced in favour of peace for the country. We are working for holding a peace conference before 2020 General Election. We will continue working with the next administration beyond the elections.
By: Ye Gaung Nyunt, Photo: Phoe Htaung
