After one year in office, Burma’s de factor leader, State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, acknowledged people’s frustration at the lack of development.
In a televised speech on March 30, the Nobel Peace laureate said, “[The] Peace process is not an easy process but we have a lot of hope. Especially there was a lot of hope from the second Panglong conference. But hope is just hope. This (peace) is not in our hands for sure yet. We have to keep trying.”
Suu Kyi’s priority in office has been ending the ethnic conflicts between some 20 rebel groups.
But mired in ongoing peace talks, Suu Kyi has yet to directly address the country’s economic woes.
The constant threat of civil war has been crippling to the country’s development since its independence in 1948.
Shortly after the speech, her office announced that five armed ethnic groups will sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement.
No signing date has been given.