A/HRC/42/CRP.5 ethnic armed organizations1096 (EAOs) and by EAOs fighting each other.1097 The complexities of the conflicts in northern Myanmar have been further heightened by the proliferation of militias, including ones sponsored by the Tatmadaw.1098 Attempts to sign an inclusive peace agreement with all EAOs operating in Kachin and Shan States have so far failed.1099 Despite a unilateral ceasefire declared by the Tatmadaw in December 2018 and now extended until 21 September 2019,1100 the Mission found that hostilities continue with adverse effects on the civilian populations.1101 473. As noted by the Mission in its 2018 report,1102 several EAOs operating in northern Myanmar have clear leadership and command structures; headquarters; regular recruitment efforts and training; uniforms; a demonstrated ability to procure arms; an ability to plan, coordinate and carry out military operations (jointly or separately); and an ability to exercise some level of territorial control in their respective operational areas. These EAOs include, but are not necessarily limited to, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), 1103 the Shan State Army – South (SSA-S),1104 the Shan State Army – North (SSA-N),1105 the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA),1106 the Arakan Army (AA)1107 and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA). 1108 The limited information available to the Mission indicates that the United Wa State Army (UWSA) 1109 also shares many of these characteristics. The Tatmadaw’s unilateral ceasefire covers five regional commands in the east and north of the country and effectively includes areas of conflict that involve the KIA, the MNDAA and the TNLA,1110 none of which have signed the National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) of 2015. 474. In its 2018 report, the Mission focused on the situation in Kachin and Shan States and provided information on other areas, such as Kayah and Kayin States. 1111 This section provides an update on the situation in northern Myanmar. 475. During the reporting period, the Mission continued to document human rights violations and abuses, as well as violations of international humanitarian law, in Kachin and Shan States. Although the unilateral ceasefire initially resulted in a marked reduction in 1096 1097 1098 1099 1100 1101 1102 1103 1104 1105 1106 1107 1108 1109 1110 1111 The EAOs operating in this area are: Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Shan State Army-South (SSA-S, the armed wing of the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS)), and Shan State Army-North (SSA-N, the armed wing of the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP)). The Arakan Army (AA) is also operating in this area, although its principal operations are now in northern Rakhine State and southern Chin State. Notably between the SSA-S and the TNLA and between the SSA-S and SSA-N. Tatmadaw-sponsored militias, commonly referred to as “Pyi Thu Sit” in the Myanmar language, include among others the Lisu militia and Kachin Defence Army (KDA), see A/HRC/39/CRP.2 para. 155, 170 and 312. See also J. Buchanon, Militias in Myanmar (The Asia Foundation, July 2016). Despite attempts to sign peace agreements with some of the EAOs since 1961, several groups have been ostracized from the peace process, and hostilities have continued even with some parties to the National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). The NCA was signed on 12 October 2015 with eight EAOs. Groups that have not signed include the KIA, the MNDAA, the TNLA and the Arakan Army (AA). Among the groups currently involved in hostilities in Kachin and Shan States, only the SSA-S signed the NCA but clashes continue between it and the Tatmadaw, parallel to the peace process. The SSA-N has not yet signed the NCA; A/HRC/39/CRP.2, para. 107; A/HRC/42/50, para. 57-58. Including the KIA, MNDAA and TNLA; 2393, 2394, 2395, 2396, 2397, 2398; Myanmar Times, “Tatmadaw extends ceasefire a second time, to August 31” (2 July 2019). A/HRC/42/50, para. 57-66. A/HRC/39/CRP.2, para. 53. Armed wing of the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO). Armed wing of the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS). Armed wing of the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP). Armed wing of the Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF). The United League of Arakan (ULA) is the political component of the AA. Armed wing of the Myanmar National Truth and Justice Party (MNTJP). Armed wing of the United Wa State Party (UWSP). The AA, the MNDAA, the KIA and the TNLA collaborate as the Northern Alliance; A/HRC/39/CRP.2, para. 108. A/HRC/39/CRP.2 para. 113. 133