"RECENT negotiations between the government and ethnic armed groups have made significant progress toward a nationwide ceasefire agreement to resolve more than half a century of armed conflict. The two sides have agreed a draft common text, which now must be endorsed by senior leaders. However, differences remain on key issues, which will require further negotiations even if the ceasefire is signed. In the meantime, the clock is ticking toward elections scheduled for November, which will likely displace peacebuilding efforts from a central position on the national political agenda. Beyond peace talks between the leadership on both sides, the situation on the ground is both complex and contested. In areas where ceasefires are holding, conflict-affected communities have experienced some of the benefits of peace. At the same time, however, ethnic nationality communities have been exposed to an increase land grabbing and other threats. Nevertheless, ceasefires in southeast Myanmar have created the space within which the Karen National Union (KNU) and other stakeholders are mobilising a vibrant Karen political community. Leadership-level negotiations When nationwide ceasefire negotiations resumed on March 30, both the government?s Union Peacemaking Work Committee and the armed groups? Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team were keen to move forward quickly - and neither wanted to be seen as delaying progress toward an agreement. Therefore, some important but still contested elements were removed from the draft text, for discussion at a later stage. These included arrangements which are necessary to consolidate existing ceasefires. Since February, trust between the Tatmadaw and ethnic armed groups has been further eroded by the outbreak of fighting in the Kokang region of northern Shan State. This development has played into the hands of the Myanmar army, or Tatmadaw, providing a rare boost to the popularity of military leaders in the run-up to elections. Thankfully, in the immediate aftermath of the agreement on the nationwide ceasefire, fighting in northern Myanmar has reduced significantly..."