(30 June 2019)

(13th Waning day of Nayon ME 1381)

On the auspicious occasion of the commemorative ceremony held at the Mongla Special Region (4) on the 13th Waning Day of Nayon ME 1381, Christian Era 30th June 2019, I wish to first of all send good wishes for the good health and happiness of the Mongla Special Region (4) leaders together with all ethnic brothers and sisters and their families.

Beginning from the past 30 years up to the present date, the Mongla Special Region (4) has joined hands with the Union Government to observe a ceasefire by walking on the path of peace. By mutual respect this region has maintained stability and peace. It gives me great pleasure to observe the ethnic people enjoying the fruits of regional development being the direct result of stability and peace. I am happy to see the sincere good will of the Mongla Special Region (4) leaders and the ethnic people with regard to peace and regional development.

As we build a Democratic Federal Republic which guarantees in full measure rights for democracy, equality of national races and self-determination, it is necessary to convene the national level political dialogues which will enable us to firmly maintain durable peace and stability already achieved and the rights of ethnic races and their needs. I invite the Mongla Special Region (4) to sign the NCA as the national level political dialogues are being conducted in accordance with the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement in order to exert our efforts for the establishment of the Democratic Federal Republic in line with the results of the political dialogues. The time has come for us to transform the voices emerging out of the hearts of the ethnic people of Mongla Special Region (4) as well as their views and opinions, into the fundamental federal principles at the Union Peace Conference – 21st Century Panglong via the national level political dialogues. The Union Government has always left the door open for the Mongla Special Region (4) and the other remaining armed ethnic groups to join the talks at the peace conference. I solemnly urge that we should all move from the level of a ceasefire agreement to the level of a nationwide ceasefire agreement while both sides observe mutual restraint; thus let us exert our efforts to work for sustainable and eternal peace.

In conclusion, I send this Message of Greetings as I solemnly request all the leaders and ethnic brothers and sisters of Mongla Special Region (4) to join hands and work with concerted efforts to realize the dream of genuine peace and the Democratic Federal Republic.

I send these good wishes with Metta for peace, prosperity, good health and happiness to all ethnic people of Mongla Speical Region (4).

Aung San Suu Kyi
Chairperson
National Reconciliation and Peace Centre