End to fighting 'key to Suu Kyi federalism plans'

Peace deals and military agreement to amend charter stand between her and success, Christian lawmakers say.

Myanmar:  Peace and military cooperation is essential if de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi's plan to rework Myanmar's military-drafted constitution to create a federal system is to work, Christian politicians said.

The Nobel Peace Laureate who was two weeks ago named state counselor — a role that effectively makes her Myanmar's prime Minister — outlined the plan in her first address to the nation since her National League for Democracy-led government took power on March 31.

"The internal peace process and the establishment of a genuine, federal democratic union are closely intertwined. That's why we need a constitutional amendment," Suu Kyi said in a televised speech on April 18 marking the Buddhist New Year.

Before this can happen an all-inclusive peace conference must be held with stakeholders discussing the peace process and federalism openly, said Manam Tu Ja, a Catholic and chairman of the Kachin State Democracy Party.

"The government, military and ethnic groups need to reach a compromise so we may build a federal democratic union, which is the goal of our country. And we need to amend the constitution to be a federal state," Tu Ja told ucanews.com April 19.

He voiced concern over whether the new government and the powerful military can reach an agreement on amending the constitution.

Giam Kham Lian, a Baptist and Upper House lawmaker from the Zomi Congress Party, echoed Tu Ja's concerns.

"Internal peace, federalism and amending the constitution are intertwined and we will not be able to create a federal union without amending the charter," Giam Kham Lian said.

"The military needs to change old attitudes and amend the constitution if they are willing for the country to become a democratic federal state," he said.

There are more than 100 ethnic groups in Myanmar, many of which have held long-simmering conflicts with the government since the country achieved independence from Britain in 1948.

The former military-backed government under president Thein Sein had pledged to bring about peace throughout Myanmar and inked a national cease-fire pact with eight ethnic armed groups in October 2015.

However the government failed to reach peace deals with the Kachin, Shan and Wa rebel groups.

Fighting is still raging in Kachin, Shan and Rakhine states with the military upping offensives against nonsignatory groups such as the Palung and Kachin.

Source: UCAN