Myanmar peace conference a risk to government

Subject

Peace process and development policy update.

Significance

The new government led by the National League for Democracy (NLD) is moving to address long-standing ethnic and religious fissures. A conference planned for July is intended to advance the peace process with armed ethnic minority groups (AEMGs). On May 30, President Htin Kyaw signed into existence the Central Committee for Implementation of Peace and Development in Rakhine State. The committee includes all government ministers and several Rakhine officials, and is chaired by State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.

Impacts

• A rushed, non-inclusive conference could set back the peace process.
• Protests by religious conservatives are likely near administrative centres.
• Investors in development-related projects in ethnic areas face heightened scrutiny.
• The leadership of the Rakhine committee will not inspire international confidence, given the Rohingya controversy.