Broader participation paves way for long-awaited peace in SAC Peace Forum
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By Phyo Lin Aung ( NP News )
The second Peace Forum hosted by the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) is going to be held from June 25 to June 27 with the theme “Towards a New Nation of Peace and Prosperity through the Integration of Peace, Elections, and Development” in Naypyidaw.
This forum differs from the first Peace Talk, which was held on March 24 to 26 with the objective of exploring effective opinions and recommendations in the political, security, economic, and development sectors in order to advance the peace process. In the previous talk, one person was leading the discussion, while the attendees received about five minutes for counter-discussion. Furthermore, it was regarded as a waste of time because participants unnecessarily cited past events, according to remarks from an attendee who participated in the previous and will also take part in the upcoming peace forum.
It would be better to allow around 80 minutes for all participants in order to discuss. So, it would become a two-way discussion and result in a more complete reflection of all participants’ opinions and recommendations.
In addition, it is known that the total number of participants is around 220, while the previous peace talks only invited around 120 participants. Furthermore, members of the NSPNC, foreign think tanks, former senior officials from the Tatmadaw, delegates from the Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Committee (JMC), delegates from Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs), political parties, stakeholders in the peace process, director generals from ministries, and observers are reportedly going to participate in the forum. Therefore, it can be regarded that more participants will account for a broader reflection and voice of all relevant sectors.
To point out some weaknesses in the peace talk, highlighted by the above-mentioned source, we discussed the political, security, and economic situation beyond the context of elections. So, it seemed like skipping steps.
In the coming forum, around 220 participants will discuss various recommendations, and it is hoped that the State Administration Council (SAC)’s Chairman will consider these proposals as part of efforts to hold successful and inclusive elections.
In the previous peace talk, one remarkable thing was that regarding the economic aspect, most participants highlighted the burden of public military service. Due to mandatory military service, it has affected job opportunities, led to a higher number of youths going abroad, and directly decreased the domestic workforce.
Furthermore, in the security sector, there are also indirect impacts. For example, when recruiting public military personnel in a village near another village influenced by PDF groups, they might threaten the youths who will join the Tatmadaw’s public military service. So, the youths might join the PDF groups because they fear the closer threat.
Therefore, most participants highlighted that public military service undermines the nation’s economy and security as well as further national development, and they urged a suspension of public military recruitment. From this, it is evident that participants had in-depth discussions reviewing the current political situation.
The source also shared some expectations regarding the upcoming forum. The main highlighted theme will be the successful holding of elections. Participants will therefore discuss in-depth the practical possibilities of which constituencies will hold elections, even though the SAC has declared that 267 townships will participate. In addition, according to the tentative schedule for the coming peace forum, participants will also discuss techniques for the transition period.
Therefore, the upcoming peace forum can be regarded as having a significant impact on the upcoming elections. The participants’ recommendations and opinions will be helpful for holding the elections.
Although the peace talks or forums under the SAC do not align with the 2011 NCA roadmap, these forums are outlined according to the current political context. Furthermore, the holding of a peace forum every three months since March 2025 highlights the SAC’s genuine intention to achieve peace.
Coincidentally, after the first peace talk concluded on March 26, a severe and devastating earthquake struck Mandalay, Sagaing, and Naypyidaw, a region where peace forums are planned to be held. The MICC-2, which hosted the previous peace talk, was damaged and is now unusable for the convening of the peace forum.
So, according to my above-mentioned source, some authorities recommended that the SAC Chair shift the venue to Yangon in order to invite foreign think tanks. However, the SAC Chair would like to proceed with the already scheduled Naypyidaw venue, despite the challenges. Therefore, they chose the Mingalar Thiri Hotel among other options in Naypyidaw, which can accommodate around 300 participants.
One of the most notable differences from the previous peace talks is the participation of foreign think tanks. Furthermore, according to a source close to the peace forum, Indian think tank representatives will arrive on June 23 and will have dinners with Myanmar political party delegates and organizational representatives. This shows that foreign think tanks prioritize and show genuine interest in Myanmar’s peace process.
The role of media in these peace forums cannot be neglected. Compared to peace conferences held under the U Thein Sein and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi governments, where media had a limited role, the SAC government now provides a platform for media involvement by inviting chief editors or heads of media groups. In the previous peace talk, eight media outlets were invited, and it is hoped that more will participate in the upcoming forum. This reflects the SAC’s intention to convey all participants’ opinions through the media.
When asked how the results of these forums might affect the future, the above-mentioned source said that it all depends on the implementation efforts of the leading government and the involved participants, especially EAOs. If they are not genuinely interested in implementing the recommended points, the forums will be regarded as mere discussions without action.
This has been a recurring issue in Myanmar's peace process. For instance, the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference resulted in a Union Accord signed by ten EAOs, but yielded little substantive progress.
It is hoped that the leader of the 7 EAO alliance, Yawd Serk will join the upcoming peace forum, as there are reports that the SAC Chair may also attend and deliver a speech at the forum, depending on other obligations.
A major obstacle to genuine peace is the EAOs' reluctance to disarm, citing security concerns. Many fear that without weapons, they will lose both their position and political leverage. Peace negotiations that do not address disarmament are often seen as ineffective. EAOs that aspire to a peaceful and united nation must also be willing to lay down arms.
Only then can the long-desired, lasting peace be achieved in the near future. –