Myanmar gov't invites Wa armed group to join political dialogue

The Myanmar government has invited Wa ethnic armed group out of seven remaining non-ceasefire signatory groups to join the union-level peace conference slated for Jan. 12, an official report said Tuesday.

The invitation was extended when vice chairman of the government's Union Peace Making Work Committee (UPMWC), U Thein Zaw, visited the United Wa State Army (UWSA)-based Special Region- 2 in Shan state over the weekend.

U Thein Zaw asked Wa leader U Shauk Min Hlian to join the political dialogue to secure peaceful coexistence of armed groups.

Northeast Commander Yar Pyae said the door is always open to the ethnic minorities to join the Nationwide ceasefire Accord (NCA) .

The planned Jan. 12 union peace conference, led by President U Thein Sein, will be held three days ahead of the national-level first round of formal dialogue, according to an announcement of the Myanmar President's Office.

The peace conference is expected to focus on resolving the political problems for ending the country's armed conflict and building national reconciliation, based on the recently finalized political dialogue framework.

A tripartite Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC) has approved the draft framework inclusive of all stakeholders in Nay Pyi Taw last week.

The national-level first round of formal dialogue will take place on Jan. 15, 2016 in accordance with the timeline reached between the government and eight armed groups out of 15 on Oct. 15.

In addition to the UWSA, the government is expected to also invite six others non-ceasefire signatory groups to join the dialogue.