NSPNC Holds Series of Talks with ALP, LDU and Signatory EAOs on Myanmar Peace Process

The National Solidarity and Peace Negotiation Council (NSPNC) convened a string of high‑level meetings in Nay Pyi Taw this week, bringing together the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), the Lahu Democratic Union (LDU) and seven ethnic armed organisations that signed the 2015 Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA‑S). The talks, reported by Myanmar’s state‑run broadcasters and the Ministry of Information, focused on reviewing progress, addressing implementation gaps and charting the next steps of the country’s protracted peace process.

Core developments across the meetings

According to Myanmar International TV, the NSPNC’s first session with the ALP took place on Monday, marking a “meeting on peace process” that sought to reaffirm the party’s commitment to the NCA framework. The Ministry of Information later echoed the same timeline, noting that the NSPNC and ALP “met for the peace process” and exchanged views on how to translate ceasefire commitments into concrete political reforms.

Later in the week, the council turned its attention to the LDU. Both Global New Light of Myanmar and Myanmar International TV reported that the NSPNC and LDU met in Nay Pyi Taw to discuss “peace process” matters, with the latter source describing the encounter as a “review meeting”. The two parties examined the status of ceasefire implementation in the Lahu‑populated regions of northern Shan State and identified logistical challenges that have hampered joint patrols and humanitarian access.

The most extensive gathering was the two‑day review session that brought together the NSPNC and the NCA‑S signatory ethnic armed organisations (EAOs). Myanmar International TV described the event as the “second day of review meeting” and highlighted that seven signatory groups participated. elevenmyanmar.com confirmed the composition of the attendees, stating that “seven NCA signatory EAOs” were present in Nay Pyi Taw to assess the overall trajectory of the peace process.

Across all sessions, the NSPNC acted as the government‑appointed facilitator, presenting draft timelines for political dialogue, outlining steps for demilitarisation, and requesting concrete assurances from the armed groups on the cessation of hostilities. The ALP and LDU each reiterated their willingness to continue negotiations, while the signatory EAOs used the review platform to raise concerns about delayed implementation of power‑sharing arrangements and the need for greater inclusion of local civil society in monitoring mechanisms.

Why it matters

Myanmar’s peace process has been stalled for years, with intermittent ceasefire violations and a lack of consensus on the political roadmap. The 2015 Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement was hailed as a watershed, yet its implementation has been uneven, leaving many ethnic regions under armed control and development projects stalled. The NSPNC, established by the Union Government to coordinate negotiations, is critical because it consolidates disparate dialogue tracks into a single, government‑led mechanism.

Engagements with the ALP are significant because the party represents the Arakan (Rakhine) region, where years of tension between the central government and local militias have escalated into humanitarian crises. Dialogue with the LDU signals a broader outreach to smaller, region‑specific groups whose grievances often remain peripheral in national talks. Finally, the participation of seven NCA‑S signatories underscores a collective push from the ethnic frontlines to keep the ceasefire alive, even as political transitions and the military’s influence create an uncertain environment.

By convening these meetings in the capital, the government signals a willingness to keep the peace process on the national agenda, while the armed groups use the platform to press for concrete concessions. The reviews also serve as a barometer for international donors, many of whom tie aid to measurable progress on conflict resolution.

Differing viewpoints and reactions

Representatives from the ALP, as reported by the Ministry of Information, emphasized “the importance of sustained dialogue” and warned that any back‑sliding could reignite tensions in Rakhine. The LDU, quoted by Global New Light of Myanmar, highlighted logistical bottlenecks, noting that “lack of clear communication channels has hampered joint patrols”. In contrast, some NCA‑S signatory leaders, as noted by elevenmyanmar.com, expressed frustration over the pace of political reforms, stating that “delays in power‑sharing legislation undermine confidence in the process”.

Government officials, through the NSPNC, stressed that the meetings were “constructive” and that the council would incorporate the feedback into a revised implementation schedule. Analysts cited by Myanmar International TV warned that while the talks are a positive sign, the absence of binding agreements means the process remains fragile.

What’s next

The NSPNC has indicated that it will compile a joint communiqué summarising the outcomes of the ALP, LDU and NCA‑S meetings. This document is expected to be presented to the Union Government’s Peace and Reconciliation Committee within the next two weeks. Subsequent steps include drafting a detailed timetable for demilitarisation, establishing joint monitoring bodies that include civil society representatives, and scheduling a national-level political dialogue that would bring together all signatory EAOs, the government, and opposition parties.

International observers, including the United Nations and ASEAN, have pledged to monitor the next phase of talks, emphasising that sustained engagement is essential for any durable settlement. The coming weeks will test whether the verbal commitments made in Nay Pyi Taw can be translated into actionable policies that address the root causes of Myanmar’s decades‑long conflicts.