CHIANG MAI- January 23, Delegates attending the second ethnic armed group conference are reportedly ready to sign a nationwide ceasefire if Naypyitaw guarantees a political framework based on genuine federal union.

The ethnic armed group conference began on Monday 20 and was planned to finish on Wednesday 22, but discussions have not been concluded. It is expected that the conference will end on Friday 24 January.

This second ethnic armed group conference has resulted in consensus on signing a nationwide ceasefire if Naypyitaw guarantees the political framework drafted and proposed by the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT).

On Friday 24, the conference is scheduled to discuss whether or not to reform the structure of NCCT or expandits membership.

The NCCT was established at the first ethnic armed group conference in Laiza, the KIO/KIA (Kachin Independence Organization/Kachin Independence Army) headquarters, late last year.

All ethnic armed groups inked NCCT’s proposal on the nationwide ceasefire except the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA). It is speculated that RCSS is likely to sign the proposal for a nationwide ceasefire drafted by NCCT.

U Aung Min, the vice chairman of the Union Peace Working Committee, has promised opposition ethnic armed groups that the second Panglong-like conference will be held within 2014.