Naw Theresa
In the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck central Myanmar on March 28, multiple parties to the country’s civil war declared unilateral, conditional ceasefires. While commendable, these ceasefires have been marred by violations by the very groups who announced them. Despite these failings, they may still mark a narrow opening for conflict de-escalation.
Conditional Convergences
A day after the March 28 earthquake, the parallel National Unity Government (NUG) announced a “two-week pause in offensive military operations, except for defensive actions, in earthquake-affected areas.” This was extended for a week up to April 20, coinciding with the traditional Thingyan new year holiday.
On April 1, the Three Brotherhood Alliance (3BHA), comprising the Arakan Army (AA), the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), declared a month-long “unilateral humanitarian pause.” It stated that effective immediately in areas where fighting is ongoing between the 3BHA and the military, the groups “will not initiate offensive operations – except in cases of self-defense.”
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