International News

NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar, (APP/AFP) – Peace talks between
Myanmar’s government and warring ethnic minorities kicked off Wednesday
in a bid to end decades of conflict that have claimed thousands of lives
and kept the country mired in poverty.
A sea of colour filled the vast conference hall in the capital Naypyidaw as delegations from Myanmar’s myriad ethnic groups mingled
with military officers decked out in full regalia.
The summit is veteran democracy activist Suu Kyi’s much-trumpeted effort to reshape Myanmar as a federal democracy.
The Nobel laureate has made bridging the ethnic fault lines that
have fractured the nation since its mid-century independence a priority
of her new government, which took power in March.
“So long as we are unable to achieve national reconciliation
and national unity, we will never be able to establish a sustainable
and durable peaceful union,” she told delegates.
“Only if we are all united will our country be at peace. Only
if our country is at peace will we be able to stand on an equal footing
with the other countries in our region and across the world.”
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who is attending
the talks, described the gathering as a “historic” moment for the
country following its transition towards democracy.
“The long civil war has cost numerous lives and robbed
successive generations of their dignity, tranquillity and normalcy,”
he said during a speech to delegates.
“It is now clear that there can be no military solution to
your differences.”