Mai Rupa, Sep 17, Lashio
The junta and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) reportedly held further talks on September 16 at the Two Elephants Hotel in Lashio, the capital of northern Shan State recently recaptured by the junta.
“Around 10 a.m., I saw a Kokang Army (MNDAA) convoy enter Lashio. There were about 7 cars, with security personnel. I heard they were meeting with the junta at the Two Elephants Hotel,” a Lashio resident told Shwe Phee Myay.
Another Lashio resident also confirmed to Shwe Phee Myay that a meeting and negotiations between the junta and the MNDAA officials are indeed taking place at the Two Elephants Hotel.
After the MNDAA handed Lashio back to the junta, meetings between the ethnic armed group and the junta have been frequent at the Two Elephants Hotel, but details of the negotiations are not yet known.
There are reports that the junta is negotiating with the MNDAA to hand back control of Hsenwi Township, but neither side has released an official statement.
This comes amid separate reports that junta departmental staff will enter the town in the coming days, even though the junta has officially declared that an election cannot be held in Hsenwi Township.
Due to mediation by China, the MNDAA handed back control of areas in Lashio to the junta last April.
Translated by #KLT
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