Government peace negotiators are set to meet with members of eight ethnic armed groups, including the Arakan Army (AA). The article in the Myanmar Times said that government officials will meet with members of those groups who have not signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). The parties also include the United Wa State Army (UWSA), the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO), and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA). This will be followed by a meeting with military representatives. U Hla Maung Shwe, an advisor for the government’s peace negotiations, said that he hoped the talks would “help to further peace talks”. Observers have expressed concern about Myanmar’s peace process in recent months. It was observed to have made little progress in the past few years. In particular, analysts are concerned about renewed fighting between the Myanmar Army and the AA in northern Rakhine State.