Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi reaches out to rebels with federalism vow

Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday vowed to press for greater autonomy for the nation's ethnic minorities, in an early move to soothe the rebellions roiling the country after her party's ascent to power.

The country has been swept up in optimism for a more peaceful and prosperous future since the National League for Democracy (NLD) took power from the military on April 1. But the democracy figurehead warned Myanmar's prospects pivot on ending ethnic conflicts that have blistered the country since its independence in 1948.

To do so, the NLD government would seek "a real federal democratic union", she said in a televised address marking Myanmar's New Year. "Peace and a federal democratic union are closely intertwined and that's why we need to change the constitution. The most important thing is national reconciliation."

They were Suu Kyi's first major comments as "state counsellor" -- a role she took on following the handover from an army that dominated the country for 50 years. The current charter, penned by the military in 2008, centralises power.

The former junta in part justified its tight control of the country with fears that ethnic divisions would fracture the nation. But federalism has gradually become central to peace discussions steered by a quasi-civilian government that replaced outright military rule in 2011.

Reiterating the federal pledge, Suu Kyi sought to reassure ethnic leaders that the NLD would govern for all, despite its leadership being drawn heavily from the Buddhist Bamar majority. The country's ethnic minorities have often complained of their treatment by the Bamar who form much of the military, economic and political elite.

The NLD nevertheless picked up seats in many of Myanmar's ethnic areas in 2015's election, giving it a massive mandate to rule. Nobel laureate Suu Kyi is beloved by many in Myanmar but blocked from becoming president by the same charter as her two sons carry foreign citizenship. She is the daughter of the country's independence hero, who supported a federalist future for Myanmar before his assassination.

Attempts to amend the army's charter under the former quasi-civilian government were stymied by the military -- which is gifted 25% of all parliamentary seats by the constitution it scripted.