Ceasefire and Eternal Peace: Military operations suspended from 1st Jan. to 31st Dec. 2023

The Office of Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services released a statement on the ceasefire and eternal peace in the country on Saturday.

It stated that in order to carry out COVID-19 prevention, containment and treatment measures with accelerated momentum and for the success and effectiveness of the processes for restoring eternal peace in the country, 21 announcements have been made during 4 years period from 21st December 2018 to 31st December 2022.

The Tatmadaw ceased all military operations in all areas, excluding the acts that could harm the security and administrative mechanism of the country in additional to defending the Union and administrative affairs. It has been one year and 11 months since the Tatmadaw had to transfer the responsibilities of the state in accordance with the Constitution (2008).

The State Administration Council is working on 5-point Road Map for strengthening the genuine disciplined multi-party democracy system and building a union based on democracy and federalism. Peace processes are continuously being implemented in order to implement the fourth point of the Road Map, "Emphasis will be placed on achieving enduring peace for the entire nation in line with the agreements set out in the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement."

The State Administration Council has celebrated the 75th Diamond Jubilee Union Day, which is significant in the country's history, together with all the ethnic people born in the Union, and the Union spirit, which is most important for the perpetuation of the Union, was able to be enshrined in the hearts of all ethnic people.

January 4, 2023 is also the 75th Diamond Jubilee Independence Day, which is filled with profound meanings in the country's history. It can also be seen that ethnic people have not yet fully enjoyed the essence of independence, which has been 75 years period, due to internal armed conflicts based on differences of opinion.

The essence of democracy and essence of Independence can only be fully enjoyed if internal armed conflicts can be resolved. The Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on 22nd April 2022 gave a speech about peace to Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) and the public, and invited the leaders of EAOs to hold peace dialogue in a frank manner in order to implement peace process practically and effectively.

Till to date, dialogues have been made two times with the representatives from 7 NCA Signatories DKBA, KNU-KNLA/PC, PNLO, NMSP, ALP, RCSS (SSA) and LDU and three non-signatories UWSA, NDAA and SSPP (SSA), altogether 10 EAOs.

During the meetings, discussions have been made for practicing genuine multi-party democracy system, building a union based on democracy and federal system and demands of EAOs for the welfare of their regions and nation, and constructive results have been achieved for the interest of the union.

Peace processes will be continued to implement, and will pave the path for achieving peace based on the Constitution (2008) and NCA. In order to continue the implementation of peace process and achieve the eternal peace which is the ultimate goal of entire people, the suspension of military operations will be extended from 1st January to 31st December 2023 except for the acts that could harm the security and administrative mechanism of the country in additional to defending the Union and administrative affairs.

The goal of achieving peace and prosperity of the Union, which is the desire of all the ethnic people, socio-economic development and eternal peace must be pursued in accordance with the democratic practices of dialogue and negotiation.

The organizations and stakeholders involved in the peace process are urged to make all-round efforts for holding peace dialogues for the interest of the union during the suspension period of military operations in order to increase the implementation of peace process.