Myanmar’s NUG signs deal with ethnic armed group to ‘demolish’ junta

Myanmar’s national unity government, which has been formed by the ousted lawmakers and politicians, says it has signed an agreement with an ethnic armed group to “demolish” the ruling junta.

The so-called National Unity Government (NUG) said in a statement on Saturday that it reached an agreement with the Chin National Front (CNF) to “demolish the dictatorship and to implement a federal democratic system.”

The NUG says it pledges to show “mutual recognition” and to “partner equally.”

The NUG was set up last month by an array of groups opposed to the junta. It had announced it would establish a People's Defense Force in line with its opposition movement.

The military seized power in a February coup.

People protesting in support of the deposed government of de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi have faced crackdown by the junta ever since.

More than 800 people have been killed by the military, according to the local monitoring group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).

Many ethnic groups who have maintained their own forces for decades have been supporting the NUG.

Myanmar junta designates national unity government as 'terrorist' group

Myanmar

Richard Horsey, a senior advisor on Myanmar to the International Crisis Group, says these groups have “no real military strength, so this move is symbolic.”

“But [it is] nevertheless significant as CNF has been quite prominent in the peace process, due to its well-respected political leaders in exile.”

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said last month that about 50 rounds of clashes between the military and ethnic rebels had been reported in several areas in the state of Kachin.

Since the coup, many people have fled to territory controlled by ethnic groups to receive military training.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk