May 17. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The latest round of negotiations between the Burmese rebels and the military junta that has ruled the country since the February 2021 coup d’état ended this Friday without an agreement after three days of talks sponsored by China and held in the city of Kunming, in the south of the country.
The meeting between representatives of the rebel alliance – formed by the Burma National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Arakan Army (AA) – and representatives of the junta represents already the fifth meeting of this type since Beijing began mediating between the parties at the end of 2023.
This week’s talks follow negotiations in March, in which China lobbied in vain for the resumption of cross-border trade through Shan State, which is of great importance to the country. These latest negotiations have also focused on the fighting in the state of Rakhine, located in western Burma.
Sources close to the matter have confirmed in statements to The Irrawaddy news portal that “no new agreement has emerged” from the meeting, while the board has not provided information about the negotiations.
Border trade remains interrupted four months after the ceasefire, something that has been criticized by Beijing. Disputes over customs revenue between various armed ethnic groups have delayed the resumption of activities in the area.
At least four groups operate along the border trade route, complicating plans to end trade restrictions at the border.
Add Comment