Arakan Army, two allies offer truce with Tatmadaw

The Arakan Army (AA) and two other members of the Northern Alliance of ethnic armed groups have called on the Tatmadaw (military) to join them in signing a truce to end the fighting in Rakhine and Chin states.

The alliance, including the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), made the call as it extended its unilateral ceasefire until August 31, the same day that the unilateral truce declared by the Tatmadaw will end.

AA spokesperson Khaing Thu Kha said the groups had declared unilateral ceasefires several times with the aim of resolving disputes through dialogue.

“We have extended the truce five times to promote peace in Myanmar, stabilise the borders, and assist in the fight against COVID-19,” he said.

The offer came after AA fighters attacked a remote police outpost in Rathedaung township on May 29, killing four police officers and capturing six others.

Also on May 29, TNLA fighters attacked a convoy of Tatmadaw troops on a highway in Kutkai township in northern Shan State, capturing some weapons.

Tatmadaw spokesperson Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun doubted the sincerity of the truce offer. “They have announced several ceasefires but continued shooting,” he said.

Khaing Thu Kha said that although Tatmadaw troops continue to attack the AA in Rakhine and Chin, it was ready to sign a truce.

“We are offering a ceasefire with the Tatmadaw in order to start pragmatic peace-building efforts,” Khaing Thu Kha said.

The Tatmadaw declared a nearly four-month ceasefire on May 9, except in areas where it is fighting the AA.

The government is fighting with more than 20 ethnic armed groups across the country, including 10 that have signed the government’s Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) as a prerequisite to joining peace talks.

The AA and its allies, as well as the country’s two largest ethnic armed groups, the United Wa State Army and the Kachin Independence Army, have not signed the NCA.mmtimes