Negotiating Comprehensive Peace in Democratic Transition in Myanmar:The current situation and the way forward

Abstract

Abstract Negotiating Comprehensive Peace in Democratic Transition in Myanmar: The current situation and the way forward

Yu Win International Area Studies Graduate School of International Studies Seoul National University Myanmar has been making a transition to a democratic country. The prolonged conflicts between the government and the ethnic armed groups had been solved by the successive governments but they couldnt step to the eternal peace. Without peace, it is not possible to consolidate democracy. The decline of the economy of the country is also directly related to the instability of the politic and the internal armed conflicts. In 2011, the civilian government handed over the power of the country. The democratic transition of Myanmar opened up the opportunities for peace negotiation between the government and the ethnic armed groups. The then government led by former President U Thein Sein laid down the foundation for negotiation process. Due to the political situation, the responsibility of the country was handed over by the NLD-led government and the State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi headed the peace negotiation process. By analyzing the policies and implementation issues of the governments as to peace process, this research found out the characteristics of Myanmars ongoing peace negotiation process, the results and the prospect of negotiation in the future, including key issues and obstacles. Keywords: peace process, negotiation, ethnic armed conflicts, equality, self-determination, Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA)

Student Number: 2015-25107