Myanmar to monitor ethnic group's movements after ceasefire

The Myanmar government said on Friday that it will be closely watching the Kokang ethnic army's movements following the unilateral ceasefire declared by the group on Wednesday.

Director of the President's Office U Zaw Htay said the government would monitor the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army's (MNDAA) movements to see if it was observing its ceasefire, Xinhua news agency reported.

Regarding MNDAA's ceasefire, Myanmar's defence ministry has not yet given any instruction to its army units, the government's Laukkai administrative authorities said, adding that the military was still taking measures to ensure regional peace despite reduced tension.

The MNDAA's military affairs committee said it announced the ceasefire at the request of the Chinese government for stability and peace along the Myanmar-China border and in view of the fact that the country's general elections were approaching.

Heavy fighting erupted between the Myanmar government forces and MNDAA on February 9, forcing the government to impose a 90-day state of emergency with martial law on February 17, which was extended by 90 days from May 18 to August 17.

The government claimed that it has brought the Kokang region in northern Myanmar under its control following the heavy clashes.