Analysis on Peacemaking Efforts during the Military Governments in Myanmar (1988- 2010)

Conflict Resolution and Peace Process

The Myanmar successive governments have undertaken the peace initiatives in different forms since 1948. Prior to 1988, all peace efforts had resulted in limited success. However, a new initiative for peace emerged after the military government came to power in 1988. The research aims to analyze how ceasefire deals were implemented by the SLORC/ SPDC governments from 1989 to 2010. It also explains why some armed ethnic groups agreed to ceasefires while others did not. Since 1989, the military government (SLORC/ SPDC) had taken a series of ceasefire deals with the ethnic groups. During 1989 the military government had got ceasefire agreements with the United Wa State Army (UWSA), “Kokang” Myanmar National Defence Alliance Army (MNDAA), “Mongla” National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), New Democratic Army-Kachin (NDA-K), SSA/SSPP (1989), Palaung State Liberation Party (PSLP: 1991) and Pa-O National Organisation (PNO: 1991). In 1994 the military government signed ceasefire agreement with KIO, in 1995 with NMSP and many other minor groups. Throughout 1996, 1997, 1998 the government had made peace talks with the Karen National Union (KNU), Chin National Front (CNF) and Karennni National Progressive Party (KNPP). During the period from 1989 to 2009, forty armed organizations entered into ceasefire agreements with the military government. Out of 40 armed groups, only five groups refused to be integrated into some form of Disarmament, Demobilization and Rehabilitation (DDR). Only two ceasefires with the KNPP and the MNDAA collapsed in over two decades. The rest were either disarmed or integrated into the Tatmadaw’s command structure. Thus, the military government made efforts for peace and got a success to some extent.

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