Under pressure from China, powerful armed group declares unilateral ceasefire with Myanmar junta

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), a major ethnic armed group operating in northeastern Myanmar, has announced a unilateral ceasefire with the country’s military junta. In a statement released on social media Tuesday night, the MNDAA declared that the ceasefire, effective immediately, means its forces will not initiate offensive operations against Myanmar’s military from their current positions. The move comes as a number of ethnic armed groups based along Myanmar’s border with China face growing pressure from the country’s powerful neighbour over their more than year-long offensive against the regime. In addition to its concerns about the border situation, China has significant geopolitical interests in Myanmar, including access to the Indian Ocean. The MNDAA, a Chinese-speaking ethnic Kokang armed group, gained control of the economically strategic city of Lashio in northern Shan State in August. However, China, which does not want to see the collapse of Myanmar’s junta, has pressured the group to relinquish control of the town. In its statement, the MNDAA pledged to cooperate with Chinese efforts to mediate the situation and expressed hopes that the fate of Lashio could be resolved through dialogue. The group also announced that it would send a high-level delegation to hold talks with junta officials. In exchange, the MNDAA is demanding that the regime halt its ongoing air and ground attacks. Although it has declared a unilateral ceasefire, the MNDAA emphasised that it has a right to self-defence, signalling that it would maintain its defensive posture and continue to protect its positions. At least 2,000 MNDAA troops have been deployed in and around Lashio, which is northern Shan State’s largest city and a major hub for border trade. Meanwhile, China continues to detain MNDAA commander Peng Daxun, 59, who was summoned to Yunnan Province for a meeting with a senior Chinese official in late October. The Chinese foreign ministry has stated that Peng is in China for “medical care.” In addition to applying diplomatic pressure, China has also imposed restrictions on goods flowing through border crossings in an effort to force the MNDAA and its ally, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), to comply with its demands. Both groups have seized large swathes of territory since last year. The TNLA has also publicly expressed its readiness for peace talks with the junta. A source close to the armed groups said the ceasefire moves and peace overtures are largely driven by Chinese pressure, and a dialogue between the MNDAA and Myanmar’s military is expected soon. “What’s notable is that the MNDAA did not mention withdrawing from Lashio. In fact, it said it would continue to defend itself, meaning it intends to maintain control of the city,” the source said.

Under pressure from China, powerful armed group declares unilateral ceasefire with Myanmar junta

The move by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army comes just over a week after a key ally also signalled its willingness to end its anti-regime offensive

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