UWSA Stormed Out Of Talks: UPDJC Deny Discrimination In Peace Conference

Delegates from United Wa State Army (UWSA) stormed out of peace talks on Thursday in an early blow to the Union Peace Conference aimed at ushering in a new era of peace.

On day two of the talks, four UWSA delegates walked out, officials said, reportedly after being told they could not address the gathering.

The Organizing Committee said the Wa had been given observer badges, instead of ones that allow them to speak. A spokesperson for the group called the incident “discrimination”, at an interview with local media The Democratic Voice of Burma, according to an AFP report.

But officials were quick in addressing the incident and said it was a “misunderstanding” that could be solved. UPDJC Secretary Salai Lian Hmung Sahkong explained the observer badge that were given to the Wa delegates were “temporary”, as they could not be reached at the time when the EAO badges were distributed. 

SECRETARY , UPDJC, SALAI LIAN HMUNG SAHKONG : I guarantee that there is no discrimination or racism among the organizations. 

President Office Spokesperson U Zaw Htay told reporters State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been informed of the incident and instructed not to let it harm the peace talks.

The 20,000-strong UWSA stopped fighting the government years back in exchange for control of a remote portion of territory bordering China. They had originally refused to make this week's talks, arguing they signed their own ceasefire with the previous military government back in 1989. But they eventually agreed to attend following discussions last month with State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.