The implementation process of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) has so far progressed well, as expected. Right after the first step of the political roadmap; the signing on October 15, the Joint Implementing Coordination Meeting (JICM) met and formed the two joint committees; the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC) that is responsible for drafting the Framework for Political Dialogue, and the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) to prevent the resurgence of fighting between the government troops and the ethnic armed troops.
The peace process is now in the second step of the roadmap as the “Framework for Political Dialogue” has been drafted by a group of nine Drafters (three members each from the government, the ethnic armed organizations, and the political parties) of the UPDJC. This framework has been drafted in accordance with the guidelines laid out in the NCA, and they finished their work on December 3. The draft Framework for Political Dialogue will then be further reviewed by all the 24 Drafting committee members (eight members each from the government, the ethnic armed organizations, and the political parties) on 5-7 of December, before it can be approved by the UPDJC on coming December 14, 2015. Further, on 16 or 17 of December, if approved, the President will adopt it accordingly, with the use of his presidential power. Then, they are going to prepare the first National Level Dialogue to be held on January 14, 2016, in accordance with the NCA guidelines.
The National League for Democracy (NLD), the winning party in the recent elections, is also taking part in the peace process as one of the political parties. The chairperson of the National League for Democracy, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, met separately with the President Thein Sein and the Commander in Chief of Army, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, on December 2. She has also met several times with Thura U Shwe Mann, the Union Parliament speaker. Apparently, they all agreed to work together for a peaceful transfer of power to the new government and to ensure a sustainable peace in the country.
The above-mentioned factors have shown that there is a big chance of continued progress of the implementation of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement. in the days to come.