YANGON: Clashes have flared between Myanmar’s army and rebels in an ethnic Chinese northern border area, state media said on Tuesday, as multiple conflicts in minority regions overshadow efforts to agree a countrywide ceasefire.

Resurgence of conflict in the Kokang area of Shan state, which had been largely dormant for nearly six years, saw rebel troops attack Myanmar military positions in the area on Monday.

“While the State is making all-out efforts for reaching a nationwide ceasefire, the renegade groups of Kokang have ambushed the troops of the Tatmadaw (army),” said a report in the English language Global New Light of Myanmar.

It said the clashes in the predominantly ethnic Chinese area of Kokang had stoked “worries” among local people that there would be “recurring fighting there”.

The fighting comes as conflict between the military and armed ethnic minority groups rages in other parts of Shan and northern Kachin states, casting doubts over government efforts to ink a nationwide ceasefire deal.

Myanmar had hoped to sign the long-delayed agreement on Thursday, as the country celebrates its annual Union Day celebrations. But officials said a full deal was not yet on the table.

“We will not be able to sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Accord because there are some negotiation points still left to discuss,” Hla Maung Shwe, a negotiator with the Myanmar Peace Centre, said.

Published in Dawn, February 11th, 2015

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