Ceasefire reached between junta forces and rebels with help from…, has the civil war come to an end?

The two sides held discussions in Kunming, a city in southwest China, where they expressed gratitude to Beijing for its efforts to promote peace.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that a formal ceasefire agreement was signed on Saturday between Myanmar’s military and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), one of the country’s rebel groups. This agreement has brought a halt to the fighting near the China-Myanmar border. Speaking at a regular press briefing on Monday, ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that the two sides held discussions in Kunming, a city in southwest China, where they expressed gratitude to Beijing for its efforts to promote peace. However, this agreement does not guarantee peace across all of Myanmar.

China’s statement on the agreement

The ceasefire was signed by the junta and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) during their seventh round of peace talks in Kunming, the capital of southern Yunnan province in China. “Both the sides expressed gratitude to China for its efforts in facilitating the successful outcome of the talks,” said Mao.

Mao Ning emphasized, “Stabilizing the situation in northern Myanmar aligns with the shared interests of all parties in Myanmar and the surrounding countries. It also contributes to the security, stability, and development of the China-Myanmar border areas.” She added that China will continue to actively promote peace and dialogue and provide support for the peace process in northern Myanmar.

Dominance of rebel groups in Myanmar

The MNDAA is one of several ethnic minority armed groups fighting to reclaim territories they consider their own. It is part of the so-called Three Brotherhood Alliance, which includes the Ta’ang National Liberation Army and the Arakan Army. This alliance launched an offensive against the military junta in late October 2023, capturing significant areas near the Chinese border.

Rebels seize control near Chinese border

The MNDAA, composed primarily of ethnic Chinese individuals, announced in July that it had taken control of a key military base near the Chinese border. Analysts suggest that China is concerned about the advancements of anti-junta forces, which have pushed the military out of critical border areas and are advancing towards Mandalay, a central city in Myanmar.

Military coup in Myanmar in February 2021

In February 2021, Myanmar’s military overthrew the civilian government, plunging the country into crisis. China fears that chaos along its 2,000-kilometer-long border with Myanmar could threaten investments and trade. Previously, in January 2024, Beijing mediated a ceasefire agreement in the northern border regions, but the agreement collapsed after a few months.

Since the coup, 28,096 people have been arrested on political charges, with 21,499 still detained. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners reports that at least 6,106 civilians have been killed by security forces, though this does not include casualties from ongoing fighting.