Myanmar Government signs an agreement with armed groups

After two years of negotiation, Myanmar Government has signed a ceasefire agreement with eight armed ethnic groups today.

However, seven of the 15 armed groups have declined to take part in the agreement over many issues including the disagreement over who should be included in the process.

The absence of seven armed groups in the deal is said to be a big blow to Myanmar President Thein Sein, as the national wide ceasefire agreement is one of his major reforms.

The Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi skipped the event.

The largest armed ethnic group, United Wa State Army is among the seven groups which have declined the agreement.

The Kachin Independence Organisation which controls large areas of Kachin State in the country’s northeast have also declined the deal.

All eight rebels groups which have joined the agreement were removed from Myanmar’s unlawful associations list.