"It has been four months since the Myanmar military seized power from the elected National League for Democracy (NLD) and arrested most of the NLD leaders including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. The reason originally given was irregularities in the voting process and lack of redress by the Union Election Commission, which was controlled by the NLD, although such reasoning, especially amidst new accusation of corruption amongst other things remains suspect. Soon after the coup, the military formed a body, the State Administration Council (SAC), under the control of the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces Min Aung Hlaing. Not unsurprisingly the return to military rule was met with widespread protests in the country and condemnation from the international community while Myanmar security forces took to the streets to brutally suppress the protestors, known as the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM). Security forces used not only riot control techniques but live-fire resulting in the deaths at the time of writing over 860 civilians had been killed, including children, and more than 4,840 civilians convicted or arrested. 1 Protests have taken place throughout the country including areas under the control of Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs). The EAOs, before the coup, had been involved in an NLD led and ostensibly military supported, peace process – the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement. While the peace process had been flawed and at one point stalled for two years it was expected that 2021 could see some progress made in addressing many of the problems that had occurred. The EAOs largely came out in favour of the protestors and the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) an alliance of the 10 NCA-signatories2 immediately issued the following statement 1). We condemn the Myanmar military’s way of addressing the current political crisis by carrying out a coup d’état. 2).We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all leaders who are detained and arrested. 3).We urge the resolution of political problems by peaceful means and negotiation, rather than by force of arms. 4.) We stand firm on the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) and act accordingly regarding the peace process. 5.) We call for the unconditional declaration of a nationwide ceasefire. 6.) We will collaborate with the public in seeking solutions, as we are aware of the difficulties faced by the people by the coup as well as the global pandemic (COVID-19). 7.) We call on the support of the international community including the UN in resolving the current crisis.3 That said, however, at least one ethnic political party the Arakan National Party (ANP), the biggest Arakanese political party in Arakan State, released a statement signalling that it would cooperate with Myanmar’s military. In its statement, the ANP said it will work together with the Tatmadaw to resolve specific Arakanese crises including the removal of the terrorist label for the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army, which the SAC later did. On March 11, the PPST, which had already suspended all political dialogue with the military on February 20, held a meeting to discuss strategies to stop the Myanmar military’s ongoing violent crackdown on anti-coup protesters and also future dialogue with the Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), a shadow NLD government.4 According to reporting there had been concerns among some EAOs that it could be dangerous for the PPST to prioritize coordination with the CRPH. One leader was quoted as saying, We were a dialogue partner of the military. We were a dialogue partner of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Now we cannot stand the people’s suffering. The main discussion is how to calm the situation down. We are thinking of the plight of the citizens,5 Despite several concerns, the Karen National Union, the Restoration Council of Shan State and the Chin National Front still held separate talks with the CRPH. In addition, the Karen National Union’s Chairman Mutu Say Po wrote a letter on 22 March 2021, after Min Aung Hlaing had sent a letter requesting a meeting. The reply from Mutu Say Po stated, The KNU finds it completely unacceptable that police and Tatmadaw personnel, whose responsibilities are to protect and defend its own people, have killed, attacked, and threatened peaceful protesters. Such events have damaged our country's reputation and caused great pain and suffering of our people. These included a number of requirements the military had to meet before further discussions could take place these were, 1. Withdraw all riot squads and Tatmadaw troops which have been deployed against protesters and withdrawal of all Tatmadaw troops which have been deployed in ceasefire areas and send them back to their outposts and bases; Declare and implement a nationwide ceasefire. 2. Release and remove charges against those detained since Tatmadaw took over power on the 1" February 2021. 3. Fully allow access for medical assistance and healthcare to support the people's protest movement. 4. Issue orders to police and Tatmadaw troops to comply with all NCA provisions — and urgently release the following provisions regarding proper treatment of civilians: A. Stop acts violating a person's dignity, violence, extrajudicial detention, kidnapping, torture, inhumane treatment, imprisonment, killing or causing the disappearance of individuals B. Stop forcibly taking money, property, food, labour or services from civilians; in addition, halt unlawful and arbitrary arrest, entrapment, forced confession, lawsuits and prosecution against civilians; C. Stop denying individuals' right to healthcare and restriction of public health resources; and halt blocking the legal transportation of medicines for public use; D. Stop the destruction or actions that would lead to the destruction of schools, hospitals, clinics, religious buildings and their premises and the use of such places as military bases or outposts; E. Immediately stop any form of sexual attack on women, including sexual molestation, sexual assault or violence, rape and sex slavery; End all killing or maiming, forced conscription, rape or other forms of sexual assault or violence, or abduction of children. 5. Abolish laws issued by Tatmadaw since Feb 1" that violate human rights. 6. Agree to address the root causes of internal conflict of over 70 years through negotiations. 7. Agree to accept international mediation to support negotiations to end the current military administration and transfer power to a National Unity Government. 8. The Tatmadaw should publicly declare its commitment to democracy and federalism and withdraw from active engagement in politics..."