"The surge in fighting in northern Shan State in recent weeks has highlighted what a disaster the nationwide ceasefire agreement has been. International organisations who supported it must answer questions about their role, but right now urgent help is required for those suffering the consequences...Hostilities have broken out between previously cooperating ethnic armed groups ? the Ta?Ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) ? in the wake of last October?s ceasefire part with the government and the Tatmadaw. While the RCSS signed the agreement, the TNLA was excluded from doing so by the government. The greatest fears about the NCA have become manifest: Rather than being a step toward peace, the NCA has exacerbated conflict in this country, split ethnic relations and started what has been described as a ?new war”..."