A second significant ethnic rebel group in Myanmar has declared that it is prepared for China-mediated discussions with the junta to put an end to more than a year of renewed fighting that has ravaged places along the Taiwanese border.
With about 8, 000 available fighters, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army ( MNDAA ) has fought the Myanmar military for the Kokang ethnic minority’s autonomy in northern Shan state for more than ten years.
It and two other allied insurgent organizations launched an offensive against the military last month, seizing large areas of Shan state, including rose mine and a profitable trade route to China.
The defense has frequently used artillery and air cuts to pound country it has lost, but a counteroffensive on the ground has not yet begun.
Last week, MNDAA ally theTa’ang National Liberation Army ( TNLA ) said it was ready for talks with the military.
The MNDAA stated in a statement released late on Tuesday ( Dec. 3 ) that “from today onwards we will cease fire immediately, and will not actively attack the Myanmar army.”
We are willing to participate in peace deals with the Burmese military on issues like Lashio, it said, referring to the city its fighters stormed in August as a significant blow to the dictatorship.
The MNDAA stated that it was “willing to give a high-level committee to engage in dialogue and discuss with the Myanmar martial to resolve conflicts and differences through social means.”