Joint Monitoring Committee on Ceasefire holds its general meeting to find ways and means to overcome difficulties and challenges

The Joint Monitoring Committee on Ceasefire held its general meeting to discuss the working process and responsibilities which are being carried out by the JMC, to find ways and means of overcoming difficulties and challenges encountered in implementing the task of the JMC-S (Joint Monitoring Committee at Region & State Level) and for those who have signed the Nationwide Cease-fire Agreement to maintain the bullet-free situations.
The JMC’s first-ever general meeting was held at the National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NRPC) branch of Shwe Li Street in Yangon at 9 am yesterday.
In his opening address, Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, Chairman of the Joint Monitoring Committee at Union Level (JMC-U), said, “The formation of the JMC can reduce the volume of fighting. Although there had been conflicts between RCSS and government troops, both sides had managed to solve carefully and systematically in accord with the instruction of working process of the JMC. In the process of accomplishing peace, Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC) & Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) were formed to perform their tasks in the long run. Under the leadership of the State Counsellor, the coordination combined team on peace process was set up to systematically manage the subvention and assistance for the peace process. Provided that those who signed the NCA can perform the peace process as an ideal, it will surely induce the remaining parties to join the signing of the NCA. The Programme for giving aid includes plans for current development and development plans for the respective regions. Therefore, it is necessary for all to maintain the conflict-free situations. As there are not yet definite separations of areas in some regions, ceasefire that is the main objective of the JMC can be maintained if the respective officers at the lower levels can consult with each other.”
He added, “Demining tasks are to be carried out by the JMC. Especially, public-used roads and routes need to be cleared so that the development process can be accomplished and the peace process will be successful. The JMC-S is necessary to openly discuss needs, weak points encountered in the period of one year and suggestions they want to make”.
Afterwards, Dr Shwe Khar, Secretary 1 of the JMC-U of ethnic armed groups read out the message of Saw Issac Po, Vice Chairman of JMC-U which said that the period of implementing the JMC under the instruction of the NCA has now reached over one year. Starting from the advent of the New Year, 100 % of the JMC will be operational. During the period of holding political dialogues, ceasefire needs to be maintained, and from the state of building mutual trusts a strengthened ceasefire must be built up.
He also stressed the need to acknowledge the trust gained to a certain extent between the people and armed groups, reminding them of the need to avoid using sensitive terms in their attempts to promote the trust between them.
He also called for promoting the role of the people in the peace making process in order to ensure transparency and trust from the people.
During the meeting yesterday, the joint monitoring committees in Taninthayi Region, Bago Region, Kayin State, Mon State and Shan State discussed their challenges with the participants of the meeting.
“Tomorrow, we will discuss the recent armed conflict between the Tatmadaw and RCSS/SSA,” said Dr Shwe Khar.
A total of 67 representatives attended the meeting.