Sai Leun, the leader of the Mongla-based National Democratic Alliance Army-Eastern Shan State (NDAA-ESS), practically warned the country’s ruling generals yesterday that for the people to live in peace, freedom and prosperity, the cardinal requirements were fairness and equality.

He was speaking in Shan at the ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the ceasefire pact between the NDAA and Burma’s ruling military council where more than 40,000 people, fighters and guests far and near participated.

Their ceasefire allies were represented by Maj-Gen Gaifa, Shan State Army (SSA) “North”; Peng Jiafu, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and Bao Youri, United Wa State Army (UWSA), among others.

Twenty doves were released as symbol of the NDAA’s desire for continued peace with the military government, with which most of ceasefire groups have been at an uneasy truce since last year.

The ruling junta was represented by Col Than Tut Thein and Maj Yan Naing Soe from Kengtung-based Triangle Region Command. Kengtung is 80 km southwest of Mongla, which is opposite Yunnan’s Xixuangbanna autonomous prefecture.

NDAA is a member of Peace and Democracy Front (PDF). Two of its other members, MNDAA and UWSA have already held their 20th anniversary celebrations on 11 March and 17 April respectively. As for the 4th member New Democratic Army-Kachin (NDA-K), Mizzima reported that it has accepted the military government’s Border Guard Force (BGF) proposal, contrary to the Front’s stand to maintain the status quo.