Myanmar's military ruler Min Aung Hlaing presides over an army parade on Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, March 27, 2021. (PHOTO / AP)
YANGON – Myanmar's military extended its ceasefire agreements with ethnic armed groups until the end of this year, according to a statement released by Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services on Monday.
The nationwide ceasefire agreement was initiated in October 2015.
The military extended the ceasefire to boost the peace process in the country and to enable effective efforts to combat COVID-19 nationwide, according to the statement
The military extended the ceasefire to boost the peace process in the country and to enable effective efforts to combat COVID-19 nationwide, according to the statement.
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Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council and commander-in-chief of Defense Services, had earlier announced the decision during a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen in Nay Pyi Taw in January, the statement said.
The military had announced extending suspension of military operations for 20 times from Dec 21, 2018 till Feb 28 this year, it said.
Myanmar declared a state of emergency after President U Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, along with other officials from the National League for Democracy, were detained by the military on Feb 1, 2021.
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The state power was transferred to Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing after the declaration of the state of emergency.