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SUMMARYEstablished: 20 July, 1958 Headquarters: Ye Chaung Phya in Mon State. Active Territories: Thaton, Paung, Chaungzon, Chaungsone, Mawlamyine, Kyaikmaraw, Mudon, Thanbyuzayat and Ye in Mon State; Yebyu, Myeik and Dawei in Tanintharyi Region; Kyarinseikgyi, Hpa-An, Kawkareik and Phayathonesu valley in Kayin State. Strength: More than 1,500 (Auxiliary Force 5,000) Chair – Nai Han Thar Vice Chair – Nai Aung Min General Secretary – Nai Kyaw Ye The New Mon State Party (NMSP) reached a ceasefire agreement with the military government on June 29th, 1995, but contact between the two sides broke off in April 2010 after the military pressured the group to transform itself into a border guard force. The NMSP, along with other ethnic armed groups, participated in the peace process under the U Thein Sein administration. Although the group agreed to a state-level ceasefire with the government on February 1st, 2012, it did not sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in October 2015. It was not until February 13th, 2018, under the President U Htin Kyaw National League for Democracy (NLD) government, that the NMSP joined the peace process and signed the NCA. Although infrequent clashes have occured between the Karen National Union (KNU/KNLA) and the NMSP due to border disputes, repeated efforts have been made to hold talks between the two sides. After an October 2019 meeting between the leaders of the NMSP and the KNU Brigade-6, an agreement was made to find a solution without resorting to violence and allow the Mon-Karen communities to live side-by-side peacefully. A meeting on October 11th, 2020 between the NMSP and the KNU/KNLA Peace Council (KPC) had to be arranged after the two sides exchanged gunfire. Regarding the obstacles to the peace process in the country, the NMSP chairman said in an interview with the Myanmar Peace Monitor that the Tatmadaw did not want to agree to the six principles of peace because it adhered to the 2008 constitution. Following the February 2021 military coup, the NMSP cooperated with the PPST. There were talks between the group and the State Administration Council (SAC). It participated in the 6th anniversary of the signing of the NCA. In media reports dated August 22nd, 2021, the MNSP Chairman Nai Hong Sar said: “We must take advantage of the Burmese people’s resistance to the SAC and unite our forces to fight. We must support the NUG. There could be no advantage in joining the SAC.” The PPST is led by NMSP Vice Chairman Nai Aung Min. Nai Han Thar, the Chair of the NMSP said at a ceremony to mark the 74th Mon Revolution Day that the need to encourage the National Unity Government (NUG) to cooperate with the military council is useless. However, the NMSP held dialogue with the military council more than five times. Its view is that the political problem should be resolved by political means. They signed a seven-point agreement, including building a strong multi-party democratic system and establishing a federal union to deal with Mon affairs. 85 The NMSP, which has actively participated in the peace process after signing the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) on 12 February 2018, has taken the leadership position in the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) following the military coup and is engaged in dialogue with the military council. In April 2023, it resigned from the PPST and reduced its participation in the PPST. NMSP Chair Nai Han Thar, who adheres to the dialogue process, said that if all the ethnic armed organizations join the Spring Revolution to eradicate the military dictatorship, he would do the same. 86 According to a statement released by the NMSP on Mon National Day 5 February, 2023, an election without resolving the political crisis would lead to bloody conflict. The NMSP added that it would work with all ethnic groups to create their own destiny. In addition, the statement pointed out that even though it is holding meetings with the military council under the 2008 Constitution. This means the rights of the ethnic peoples are far from being expected. 87 The NUG’s Acting President Duwa Lashi La has invited the NMSP to work together to build a federal democratic union.
| Ceasefires and Peace Process Official Representative Team Within Myanmar Liaison Offices Business Alliances Contact: |
Mon Peace Monitoring Group
Following a peace process monitoring workshop in Shwe Myint Moh Tun Hotel, Mawlamyine city, Mon state on 7 June 2013, 15 members were selected to run a peace monitoring group for Mon State.
About 120 representatives from the Social Welfare minister of Mon State, Economic and Planning minister of Mon State, Mon affairs minister in Karen State, Politicians, Mon state MPs, businessmen, civic groups, youth groups and individuals attended the workshop.
Meetings
| # | Date | Location | Armed Group Rep | Govt Rep | Details |
| 1 | 06/10/2011 | Ye Township, compound of govt. Infantry Unit No. 61 | Nai Tala Nyi | Mon state Minister for Security and Border Affairs, Col.Htay Myint Aung | Preliminary meeting The party also proposed that the government announce a nationwide ceasefire and to hold a dialogue with the UNFC [United Nationalities Federal Council] to solve political problems. Other NMSP delegates: Nai Baya Lai; and Nai Hong Sar Other govt. delegates: Colonel Tun Tun Nyi of the Southeast Command; and Mon state municipal officials |
| 2 | 13/11/2011 | Ye Chaung Phya, NMSP headquarters | Nai Htaw Mon | 5 member envoy from the Mon state Govt as peace create team (peace mediators) | Preliminary Meeting There were discussions about avoiding clashes between their respective armies, opening liaison offices and cooperating in undertaking business and development projects in the state. The talks included an agreement that both sides would inform the other side in advance if one side wanted to enter the other’s control area with weapons. Other NMSP delegates: Nai Rawsa, Nai Hong Sa Govt Delegates: former NMSP central executive member Nai Tin Aung and former central committee member Nai Soe Myint; Mon National Democratic Front central executive member Nai Thet Lwin, Dr. Min Kyi Win, Buddhist Abbot Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kaytumarlar |
| 3 | 22/12/2011 | Sankalaburi, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand | Nai Hong Sa | Aung Min | Preliminary Meeting Other NMSP delegates: Bun Thai, Nai Banyar Leh, Nai Shwe Thein |
| 4 | 01/02/2012 | Moulmein, Mon state | Nai Rawsa | Aung Min | State-level 5 point Ceasefire Other NMSP delegates: Bri-Gen La Yi Kaung, Nai, Tala Nyi, Maj. San Aye, Nai Arca Other govt. delegates: Union Minister U Soe Thein, Union Minister U Zaw Min, State Chief Minister U Ohn Myint, Commander of South-East Command Maj-Gen Tin Maung Win, Mon state Minister for Security and Border Affairs Col Htay Myint Aung, the General Staff Officer (Grade-I) (People’s Militia), the Mon state Advocate-General, the secretary of Mon State Government and officials |
| 5 | 25/02/2012 | Moulmein, Mon state | Nai Rawsa | Aung Min | Union level 4 point Ceasefire Other NMSP delegates: Bri-Gen La Yi Kaung, Nai Tala Nyi, Maj. San Aye, Nai Arca Other Govt. Delegates: Union Minister U Soe Thein, Union Minister U Zaw Min, Union Minister U Win Tun and State Chief Minister U Ohn Myint, Commander of South-East Command Maj-Gen Tin Maung Win, Deputy Minister for Border Affairs Maj-Gen Zaw Win, Mon state Security and Border Affairs Minister Col Htay Myint Aung, the general staff officer (Grade I) from Commander-in-Chief (Army) Office, the general staff officer (Grade I) (militia) of South-East Command, Mon State advocate-general and officials |
| 6 | 11/04/2012 | Moulmein, Mon state | Nai Aung Min, Nai Tala Nyi | Aung Min | Union level meeting – the perpetuation of ceasefire Other Govt. Delegates: U Khin Yi from Union level peace-making group, State Chief Minister U Ohn Myint, Commander Maj-Gen Tin Maung Win, Lt-Col Zaw Naing Oo of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, Minister for Security and Border Affairs Col Htay Myint Aung from Union level peace-making group, the State Advocate-General, Lt-Col Kyaw Myint from the South-East Command, the Secretary of State Government, U Shwe Thaung from Region Development Supervisory Office, |
| 7 | 04/08/2013 | Mawlamyaing | NMSP | MPC | For the National accord agreement, MPC met the NMSP at Mawlamyaing informally |
| 8 | 14/01/2014 | Hpa-am | Karen Arms Groups 4 and NMSP | Khinn Yee, State Minister Zaw Min and immigration officers | Govt and Karen arms groups and NMSP meet in pha am, karen state government office. Govt explain about the nationwide census, immigration law and asking for their cooperation for census. |
| 9 | 01/09/2014 | Mawlamyine | NMSP | – | Public consultation |
Developments
Agreed:
negotiation terms/process:
- To start political dialogue within 45 days of ceasefire.
- Allowing observers to participate in meetings.
- To start political dialogue between representatives of armed national races organizations and representatives of the government after ceasefire of all armed national races organizations. In case ceasefire is not secured with all the organizations till December 2012, to start the political dialogue between representatives of the ceasefire organizations and representatives of the government.
- To continue talks on national reconciliation, based on political compromises with participation of representatives of domestic national political parties and democratic forces.
- To initiate procedures for prompt implementation of agreement reached in the above-mentioned dialogue.
- To not extend military strength in Mon state and related areas in period of ceasefire.
- To work for stability and development of education, health and social sectors of the region in coordination with respective national races armed organizations and the government as the ceasefire comes into effect.
- To have the right to communicate with the public and help each others.
- To have the right to communicate with domestic political parties.
- To have the right to communicate with news agencies and media.
- To inform the public of outcomes of political dialogue as required.
- To conduct negotiation in advance in communicating with the foreign diplomats.
- To release all political prisoners remaining in the prisons and to free comrades of New Mon State Party in prisons with sympathy as well.
- To avoid forced labour by both sides, apart from volunteers. To solve problems of land confiscation by the Myanmar military.
Demands:
- Releasing imprisoned party members including Nai Myo Thway and Nai Yekka
- To hold political dialogue
Statements
28 December 2019 – NMSP’s statement
23 October 2019 – NMSP released a statement regarding meeting of KNU and NMSP
26 December 2018 – NMSP released a statement regarding office of the commander-in-chief of defence services’ statement
23 March 2018 – Mon State National Level Political Dialogue Supervisory Committee
11 February 2018- NMSP and LDU removed from blacklist
1 February 2018 – NMSP released a statement regarding 71st anniversary of Mon National Day(MM)
21 January 2018 – NMSP released a statement regarding signing NCA
13 May 2017 – NMSP released a statement in Mon Language
12 February 2017 – NMSP released a statement regarding 70th anniversary of Mon National Day(MM)
25 December 2016 – NMSP released a statement regarding fake Mon Ethnic
25 October 2015 – NMSP released a statement in Mon language
May 06, 2014 – British Ambassador Meets With Mon Political Parties and NMSP
January 30, 2013: The NMSP issued a statement on the intensive armed conflict in Kachin state
June 19, 2012: The NMSP has threatened to break its four-month-old ceasefire agreement with the Myanmar government if Naypyidaw fails to hold political talks with all the ethnic armed groups by the end of this year, according to the party secretary.
February 8, 2012: NMSP chairman said that the group will not sign a ceasefire with the Myanmar government while it continues to wage war against ethnic Kachins
Partnership
Nai Hong Sar, the secretary of NMSP and the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), told Mizzima in October 2011 that the NMSP wanted all discussions with the government to involve the UNFC while the government wanted to negotiate with the NMSP separately.
NMSP leaders had informal meetings with ethnic political leaders in 2012.
NMSP representatives met 88 generation leaders who visited Mon state (11 November 2012)
International Partnerships
MPSI
Nippon foundation –
Reference: Deciphering Myanmar’s Peace Process – A Reference Guide (2022 – 2023)
