Partial Ceasefire in Burma

Dear friends,

Thank you for your prayers, encouragement and support.

On 15 October, the Burma Government and leaders of eight ethnic groups met in Naypyidaw and signed a partial ceasefire. This agreement was reached in spite of an increase in attacks by the Burma Army in the Shan and Kachin states of northern Burma, with no withdrawal of troops in other areas. In parts of Karen State the Burma Army has increased its troop presence.

The good news is that there is more peace in some areas and a possible way forward to bring freedom, justice, reconciliation and peace to Burma. We pray for that and will help as we can. The bad news is that the Government of Burma refused to include some groups in the ceasefire process, while pressing their attacks against others. We stand with those who are under attack and those who are not. FBR has relief teams in both ceasefire and non-ceasefire areas, who continue giving help, hope and love and put a light on the situation.

Those groups that agreed to sign at this point are: The Karen National Union (KNU), Shan State Army-South (SSA-S/RCSS), All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF), Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), Karen National Liberation Army-Peace Council (KNLA-PC), the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), Chin National Front (CNF), and the Arakan Liberation Party/ Army (ALP/ALA).

Groups that did not sign are: the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), Shan State Army North (SSAN), New Mon State Party/Army (NMSP/NMSA), Arakan Army (AA), Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP). The United Wa State Army was also not part of this agreement but they have had a bilateral ceasefire since 1989.

The Free Burma Rangers will continue to give help, hope and love to those under attack, to get the news out and to stand with the oppressed. We pray for more positive changes, close relationships with both those who have signed and those who have not, and with the Burma government. We continue to pray and work for reconciliation, justice and freedom for all.

Thank you and God bless you,

Dave, family and all of FBR