Myanmar president sets 100-day deadline for peace talks

Myanmar’s President Min Aung Hlaing set a 100-day deadline Tuesday for peace talks with anti-government armed groups, state media reported.

Min invited both signatories and non-signatories of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) to participate in the talks, according to the state-run newspaper Global New Light of Myanmar.

The agreement was signed with eight armed groups in October 2015. Myanmar’s military seized power in February 2021 after overthrowing the elected National League for Democracy (NLD) government.

“For groups that have not yet engaged in dialogue and negotiation, we also invite them to come and participate in discussions by the final deadline of 31 July,” he said.

He named groups such as the Karen National Union, the Chin National Front and the All Burma Students' Democratic Front.

“We also desire peace. If there is no stability and peace in the country, nothing can be done in terms of development. Only when peace is achieved and stability exists can development activities be carried out,” Min said.

Min also stated that as the “democratically elected government has already assumed state responsibilities,” efforts will be made to invite the People’s Defense Force (PDF), the armed wing of the opposition National Unity Government, “to return to the legal framework.”

Min was elected president by a military-aligned parliament early this month.

He served as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, known as the Tatmadaw, from 2011 until stepping down in March to run for the presidency.

Following five years in power, Min oversaw a three-phase election process beginning in late December that resulted in victory for pro-military parties, including the Union Solidarity and Development Party.