YANGON – The government of Myanmar and ethnic rebel groups on Monday agreed on a draft for a long-awaited ceasefire agreement, with officials saying it could be signed next month.
The breakthrough comes as heavy fighting continues between the government forces and Kokang ethnic rebels in northern Kachin state, who are not party to the agreement.
The nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) draft was finished during a seventh round of talks between the government's Union Peacemaking Working Committee and representatives of the ethnic rebels.
"Now we have an all-inclusive draft for NCA, and we hope the signing will be in late April," said senior advisor Hla Maung Shwe of the EU-funded Myanmar Peace Centre.
The latest round of peace talks in Yangon began on March 17.
"It could be possible to have the signing ceremony after the water festival next month," said Naing Han Tha, leader of rebels' Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team.