Burmese authorities announced today that they had signed a preliminary peace agreement with ethnic Kachin rebels in the north of Burma.
Following three days of talks that were aimed at establishing a ceasefire after decades of conflict, the two sides agreed to send all armed fighting and forma plan to resettle people who field the violence.
Commenting on the new developments the Burmese minister in charge of the peace efforts, said,
“We’re working not just towards a just and sustainable peace but towards a new political culture, one built on compromise, mutual respect and understanding.”
The rebel spokesman Dau Hka also outlined his optimism towards the government’s new found commitment to end the fighting through political means.
Though the government continues to reject for autonomy from the Kachin rebels, the ceasefire agreement looks to establish a joint ceasefire monitoring committee and help resettle the thousands of displaced people in the region.