It is hoped her presence will build bridges ahead of her party taking power in March
The news
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Aung San Suu Kyi has addressed an influential gathering of representatives of ethnic armed groups, the military and politicians in Myanmar.
The talks are about a ceasefire to end the insurgencies that have plagued the country for decades.
Myanmar's Suu Kyi, ethnic armed groups gather for peace talks https://t.co/BvSevWTf3k
— Reuters World (@ReutersWorld) January 12, 2016
“Based on the mandate, it is right to do what the people want us to do. We are ready to take the responsibility of building peace forever in the country. I hope everyone will help us.” Suu Kyi told the audience.
The context
President Thein Sein addressing delegates at the #Myanmarpeacesummit pic.twitter.com/MPyWnNpZMs
— Bastian Hartig (@BastianHartig) January 12, 2016
Outgoing President Thein Sein signed a peace deal in October.
However, seven of the 15 armed groups invited to participate, including some of the most powerful, declined to sign.
Suu Kyi snubbed the government-led process.
“A framework for negotiations”
The latest talks in the capital, Naypyitaw, are not expected to end in a concrete deal.
It is hoped, however, they will establish a framework for negotiations once the National League for Democracy takes power.
It is hoped Suu Kyi’s international standing and mandate will help her bridge areas of disagreement with the country’s powerful military.
Suu Kyi’s NLD won an historic election victory in November.
The party will not take power until March, however, with a presidential election a month earlier.
Questions raised over peace talks
Does starting of Union Peace Convention by Thein Sein regime hastily make sense? https://t.co/7ayopkUESl https://t.co/j8jpYpsrdn
— Naing Aung (@DNAforFreeBurma) January 12, 2016
Some have questioned the timing of the talks, coming a few months before a change of government.