EROs Profile

Karen National Union (KNU)

Staff

June 6, 2013

3212

Government Name: Kayin National Union (KNU)

Armed Wing: Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)

PPST, PPWT/CT, UPDJC, JMC member

knu logo

SUMMARY

Founded: February 5th , 1947

Headquarters: Mobile HQ

Active Regions: Mon State – Thaton, Bilin, Kyaikto Bago Region – Kyaukkyi, Shwegyin, Mone, Tanintharyi Region – Myeik, Dawei Throughout Kayin State.

Size: Over 10,000

Chairman – Gen. Saw Mutu Say Poe

Vice-chairman – P’doh Saw Kwe Htoo Win

General Secretary – P’doh Saw Tah Doh Moo

The KNU has been fighting for self-determination and autonomy in one of the world’s longest
civil wars. Following Myanmar’s independence from the British in 1948, the Karen National Defence Organization (KNDO) was formed to fight against the central government. This name was later changed to the KNU.

Arm Wings: KNLA

Central Executive Committee
Chairman: Gen. Saw Mutu Say Poe
Vice-Chairman: P’doh Saw Kwe Htoo Win
General Secretary: P’doh Saw Tah Doh Moo
Secretary-1: P’doh Saw Hser Bweh
Secretary-2: P’doh Saw Hla Tun
Member: General Saw Johny
Member: P’doh Saw Th’mein Tun
Member: P’doh Naw Dah Dah
Member: P’doh Mahn Nyein Maung
Member: P’doh Saw Roger Khin

Department Heads:

Head of Agriculture Department – P’doh Saw Dot Lay Mu
Head of Alliance Affairs Department – P’doh Saw David Tharckabaw
Head of Breeding and Fishery Department – P’doh Saw Mya Maung
Head of Defense Department – Lt.Colonel Saw Roger Khin
Head of Education & Cultural Department – P’doh Saw Lay Say
Head of Finance & Revenue Department – P’doh Saw Kay Hser
Head of Forestry Department – P’doh Mahn Ba Tun
Head of Foreign Affairs Department – P’doh Saw Aung Win Shwe
Head of Health & Welfare Department – P’doh Saw Eh Kalu Shwe Oo
Head of Interior & Religious Department – P’doh Saw Ah Toe
Head of Organising & Information Department – P’doh Saw Hla Tun
Head of Justice Department – P’doh Saw Eh K’lu Say
Head of Mining Department – P’doh Saw Ker Ler
Head of Transportation & Communication Department – P’doh Saw Kawkasa Nay Soe

The Karen National Union (KNU) signed ceasefires at the state and union levels in January and April 2012. The group signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) on October 15th, 2015, and played a leading role in the peace process along with 10 other ethnic armed groups that signed the NCA.

However, on January 26th, 2019, the KNU issued a statement calling for common ground between either the Tatamaw (military) or the government to discuss the peace process and the misinterpretation of the wording of the NCA. It issued a six-point statement on May 27th, 2020, asking to hold public consultations in the KNU-controlled areas as the first priority only after the ceasefire is strengthend and regional develop-ment activities are initiated.

During the peace process under the NCA, there were repeated clashes with the Tatmadaw over the KNU’s activities, and over the Tatmadaw’s construction of roads under the pretext of regional development. Although the group withdrew from the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST), which includes armed groups that have signed a ceasefire, a summit of the 10 ceasefire signatories decided to exclude it from the team only temporarily in May 2019.

Following the February 2021 military coup, the KNU opposed the military coup and supported civil servants who joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) during, the Spring Revolution. Currently, is working with the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) as the coup regime carries out heavy offensives in KNU-controlled areas.

The KNU chairman personally addressed a summit of 10 armed groups that signed a ceasefire agreement in 2022. The group would only consider the junta’s offer of peace talks only if the military decides to withdraw from politics.

Ceasefires and Peace Process
6th EAO to sign a ceasefire
Step 1 – State-level Ceasefire (January 12, 2012)
Step 2 – Union-level ceasefire (April 7, 2012)
Step 3 – Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (October 15, 2015)
Official Representatives – rotating

Fighting with Tatmadaw
2019 – 3
2019 – 8
2021 – 82
2022 (March) – 23

Liaison Offices
1. Hpa-an September 29, 2012
2. Phayatonesu, May 15, 2012
3. Hte We April 12, 2012
4. Kyaukkyi – April 9, 2012
5. Thaton – March 5, 2012

Business Liaison Offices
1. Mawlamyaine November 22, 2013
2. Hpa-An
3. Yangon

Alliances
Other Karen EAOs

Contact
Website: http:// www.knuhq.org
Email: [email protected]

Karen Peace Support Team

8 April 2012
Address: No.410, 3rd Street (South), East Gyo Gone, Insein Township, Yangon, Myanmar.
Telephone Number: +95-9-8575 225
Contact Persons:

Rev. Mathew Aye, coordinator of the Karen Peace Support Team
Susanna Hla Hla Soe, Co-Coordinator of Karen Peace Support Team

For full details see a statement document

KPST’s Role in Peace Negotiation

organizing media (domestic and international)
observers
facilitating meetings
community participation

Members:

Honorary Moderator: Prof. Saw Tun Aung Chain-Individual
Coordinator: Rev. Matthew Aye- Karen Development Network
Co-coordinator: Nant Khin Aye Oo (Cum treasurer) – Karen Development Committee
Co-coordinator: Naw Susanna Hla Hla Soe – Karen Women’s Action Group
Member: Saw True Blood – Individual
Member: Saw Kenneth Wai Thaw – Individual
Member: Saw Alan Saw U – Individual
Member: Mahn Kyaw Nyunt – Individual
Member: Saw Kyaw Swar – Karen Affairs Committee
Member: Nan Myint Tin – Karen Affairs Committee
Information Disseminator: Nyaw Nyaw (secretarial support) – Individual

Ceasefire & Peace Process

6th ceasefire agreement signing group
Stage 1: State level ceasefire 12 Jan 2012
Stage 2: Union level ceasefire 7 Apr 2012
Stage 3: NCA signed 15 Oct 2015

Official delegation team

Rotational

Liaison offices

1. Kyakkyi, Bago Region – 9 Apr 12 – Saw Pah Khu
2. Dawei, Tanintharyi Region – 12 Apr 12 – Gen. Pe Htoo
3. Hpa-an, Karen State – 29 Sept 12 – Saw Shee Sho
4. Hpayarthonesoe, Karen State – 15 May 12 – Gen. Edward
5. Myawaddy, Karen State – 18 Aug 12 – Gen. Pah Ke’
6. Thaton, Mon State – 5 Mar 13 – P’doh Tin Soe

Economic liaison office

1. Mawlamyine (22/11/13)
2. Pa-an
3. Yangon

Alliances: Karen armed groups

Contact:
Website: http://www.knuhq.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarenNationalUnionHQ
Email: [email protected]
Phone:05822723/ 09425032747

Meetings

#	Date	Location	Armed Group Rep	Govt Rep	Details
1	30/09/11	Mae Sot, Thailand		Col Aung	Preliminary meeting: KNU leaders told the government delegation that they didn’t want to hold peace talks with state-level officials because they lacked the authority to reach a binding agreement. The meeting was attended by Christian community leaders, Buddhist monks and MP Saw Boe Ni.
2	19/11/11	Mae Sai, Thailand		Aung Min	Informal ceasefire agreement: Mediators included: Nay Win Maung, Dr. Kyaw Yin Hlaing and Tin Maung Than, Harn Yawngwe.
3	21/12/11	Mae Sot, Thailand	David Thakapaw	Aung Min	Preliminary meeting: Talks centered on rules and agreements that affect armed troops. Other Karen delegates included: KNU military chief General Mutu Saypo, Pado David Htaw, Pado Ah toe, Hpaan District chairman Saw Aung Maw Aye, Saw Roger Khin of the KNU health department and KNU central committee member Saw Thawthikho. Mediators included: Dr. Nay Win Maung and Hla Maung Shwe.
4	12/01/12	Hpa-an, Kayin	Mutu Say Poe	Aung Min	State-level 11 point ceasefire
5	05/04/12	Hpa-an, Kayin	Zipporah Sein	Aung Min	Cease-fire monitoring rules and liaison offices were discussed.
6	07/04/12	Yangon	Zipporah Sein	Aung Min	Union level 13 point ceasefire
7	09/04/12	Naypyitaw	Zipporah Sein	President Thein Sein	Goodwill visit
8	10/04/12	Hpa-an, Kayin	Zipporah Sein	Aung Min	Discussions on maintaining the ceasefire and the opening of liaison offices took place. There was a ceremony for the presentation of two vehicles for use at KNU liaison offices in Hpa-an and Dawei. KNU delegates included: Chief of General Staff General Saw Mutu Say Poe. Govt delegates included: U Khin Yi from the Union level Peace-making group, Kayin State Chief Minister U Zaw Min, state ministers and other officials.
9	26/06/12	Mae Sot, Thailand	Zipporah Sein	Aung Min	Discussions centered on liaison offices that could serve for improving communication and negotiations between the KNU and govt. The KNU believed this could help maintain the ceasefire and work out problems resulting from ongoing land confiscation by the Myanmar military.
10	06/08/12	Myawaddy, Thailand	Zipporah Sein	Aung Min	Agreement to hold a 3-day meeting on Aug. 27 in Hpa-an to discuss the “ceasefire code of conduct” and the withdrawal of government troops. Karen reps. included: Padoh Saw Thawthi Bwe, Naw May Oo and Saw Aung Win Shwe. Govt reps included.: Immigration Minister Khin Ye, Soe Thein and the Karen State Minister Zaw Min. Mediators: Dr. Kyaw Yin Hlaing, Hla Maung Shwe, Tin Maung Than from Myanmar Egress Company, Ngwe Soe, Ko Ko Maung and spouse Ma Su from the Dawei Princess Company.
11	03/09/12	Hpa-an, Kayin	Zipporah Sein	Aung Min	34 point Code of Conduct agreement (in principle). Govt reps included.: Immigration Minister Khin Ye, Soe Thein and Karen state Minister Zaw Min Mediators included: Four domestic and three foreign, Hla Maung Shwe.
12	05-06/01/13	Naypyidaw	Mutu Say Poe	Thein Sein, Aung Min, VP Sai Mauk Kham, C-in-C Min Aung Hlaing	Union Level Peace talks: Ongoing discussions and the implementation of peace agreements.
13	15/06/2013	Yangon	Padoh Saw Tar Doh Moo	MPC officials	the Karen National Union and MPC officials representing the Myanmar govt met at the Myanmar Peace Center (MPC) in Rangoon on 15 June 2013 and talked about a ceasefire “Code of Conduct” both delegations plan to meet again in July.
14	23/08/2013	Yangon	RCSS + KNU	MPC	Ethnics’ technical team led by KNU and RCSS discusses on Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement with MPC technical team.
15	31/08/2013	Nay Pyi Taw	RCSS + KNU+ CNF (Gen. Mu Tuu Say Phoe, Maj. Tu Tu Lay from KNU, Maj. Sai La and Maj. Sai Mein from RCSS)	“Vice president Sai Mauk Kham – Vice Senior General Soe Win, U Aung Min, U Thein Zaw”	UPWC president Sai Mauk Kham expected to get a nationwide ceasefire in October. (1) commitment of ceasefire (2) framework from both sides negotiation for political dialogue (3) all-inclusiveness in Conference (4) midterm working process negotiations is proposed by KNU- RCSS. It’s an informal meeting.
16	28/09/2013	Naypyitaw	KNU leaders total 9 including mutu say poe	UPWC/ Commander in Chief	informal meeting KNU leaders (9) meet government and commander in chief also for second time in Nay pyi taw according to The voice daily.
17	19/10/2013	Naypyitaw	KNU Pado Mann Nyein Mg	Soe Thein, Aung Min, Khin Yee and Gen Thet Naing Win	informal meeting for bomb cases, Pado Mann Nyein Mg meet in Naypyitaw.
18	08/11/2013	Tavoy	KNU- 4 Bridgade – 6 representatives	Thanintari Govt, State minister Myat Ko- 15 representatives	KNU meets taninthari government for 4 points 1. To return the KNU hold villages during the war in 1997 2. Military liaison office to regulate the military action in the region under bridgate (4) 3. Karen language teaching in schools and 4. to cooperate in development for regions.
19	18/12/2013	Taungoo	KNU	Police force . border affair ministry	informal meeting
20	01/01/2014	Myawaddy, Karen State	Karen Arms Groups 4	UPWC	informal meeting Karen New Year Ceremony held in myawaddy, 4 arms group together. Aung Min and MPC attend the ceremony.
21	05/01/2014	Naypyitaw	KNU- Mutusaypoe/ Mann Nyein Maung/ Saw Kywe Htoo Win	UPWC- President	They discuss about nationwide ceasefire
22	05/01/2014	Naypyitaw	KNU- Mutusaypoe/ Mann Nyein Maung/ Saw Kywe Htoo Win	Commander in Chief and Military Generals	They discuss about nationwide ceasefire
23	04/06/2014	Naypyitaw	KNU Chairman, Saw Mutu Say Poe, CEC members- Saw Jar Yar Khin, Pado Mann Nyein Mg, Commander in Chief of KNLA, Gen Saw Jaor Ni, Advisor Saw Tu Tu	President Thein Sein, Aung Min	Informal Meeting As well, Gen. Mutu Say Poe also met president Thein Sein at his Leltaw house (farm house) in Naypyitaw today at 5 p.m. It’s fifth times meeting the KNU leader and the president. They discuss about peace.
24	04/06/2014	Naypyitaw	KNU Chairman, Saw Mutu Say Poe, CEC members- Saw Jar Yar Khin, Pado Mann Nyein Mg, Commander in Chief of KNLA, Gen Saw Jaor Ni, Advisor Saw Tu Tu	Commander in Chief, Gen MinAungHlaing, Deputy Commander in Chief Gen Soe Win	Informal Meeting Gen. Mutu Say Poe met Snr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw on 4 June 2014. The meeting took place at 10:00 a.m to 12:00 a.m. It’s a six time meeting between them. Gen Min Aung Hlaing mentioned three points
25	05/06/2014	Naypyitaw	KNU Chairman, Saw Mutu Say Poe, CEC members- Saw Jar Yar Khin, Pado Mann Nyein Mg, Commander in Chief of KNLA, Gen Saw Jaor Ni, Advisor Saw Tu Tu	Parliament Speaker – Shwe Mann	Informal Meeting Parliament speaker Shwe Mann meet the Chairman of KNU for the first time – introducing the new relationship between the ethnic arms and parliament.
26	14/07/2014	Law Khee Lar	Mutu Saypoe, Pado Saw Kwe Htoo Win, Pado Mann Nyein Mg, Pado Saw Tardo Hmu, Gen Saw Izack	NA	Intormal Meeting KNU held an emergency meeting in Law Khee Lar, the HQ of KNU, on July 14. They discussed about the NC and chose the representatives who are going to attend EAOs meeting in Laiza.
27	05/08/2014	MPC in Yangon	KNU brigade 1, 4, 6, and 7	Col Aung Lwin (Karen border affairs minister) and MPC team	Intormal Meeting They discussed about regional development in Karen such as how to cooperate for the development project. JICA, Japan Plattform, Nippon Foundation and staff from Japanese Embassy attended the meeting.

Developments

Agreed points:

Pan-ethnic dialogue

to establish nationwide ceasefire – establishing a ceasefire especially in the ethnic nationality regions Monitoring
to start the necessary arrangements for monitoring, analyzing and rectifying the peace process
The Karen Baptist Convention (Burma) has invited officials from the KNU and community based organizations from the Thai-Myanmar border to attend a meeting to explain the ongoing ‘peace talks’ with the government (17/11/2012)

Political:

to guarantee life, security and freedom from fear
to develop the state to build confidence amongst the Karen
to stop forced labour, arbitrary taxation and extortion of villagers
to release political prisoners and resolve rehabilitation and land problems for civilians
19/03/2012 Myanmar pardoned Nyein Maung, a member of the Karen National Union (KNU) central committee

Resettlement:

national registration cards
started

Military

ceasefire Code of conduct – 34 points

Ongoing issues:

relocation of government troops
07/09/2012 KNU requested for the government to move 90 of their 300 military bases areas from KNU-controlled territories
allow national media outlets to participate in the peace process to provide accurate information about developments
support the basic needs of the people and ensure that development projects have the full participation and support of residents
set out clear principles for all parties to ensure a genuine peace process
legitimate representatives involved in negotiations, provide adequate time for their consultation with respective constituencies and establish a clear roles for third parties
implement a flexible process that guarantees progress will lead towards sustainable peace, all parties speak frankly, avoid using words that are easily misunderstood or misconstrued

Repercussions

Internal conflict: KNLA Commander-in-Chief Gen. Mutu Say Poe and Central Committee members David Taw and Roger Khin were dismissed by the KNU for violating protocol by visiting Pa-an the previous week to set up a liaison office. (02/10/2012). However the KNU executive committee managed to iron out differences resulting from divisions over the peace talks with the government during the Central Standing Committee (CSC) (27/11/2012). Both Mutu Say Poe and Roger Khin were reinstated. Mutu Say Poe was eventually elected as the new chairman in December, 2012. (21/12/2012) David Taw died shortly after his dismissal resulting from deteriorating health conditions.

Clashes

Skirmishes have decreased signiﬁcantly as a result of the new ceasefire and ongoing peace talks with the government. However Karen state remains heavily militarised resulting in some clashes between the KNLA and Myanmar army.

KNU (5) clashes Papun, Hlaing Bwe, Beelin Townships 8 soldiers killed, 2 soldiers injured

Reports are circulating that government troops are preparing for an offensive against the KNLA’s Brigade 5 in northern Karen state after the brigade barred them from conducting gold mining and other businesses in rebel-held territory. (03/01/2013)

The KNU claim the government army’s is forcing Karen civilians to attend militia training, jeopardizing ongoing ‘peacetalks’. (21/11/2012)

Partnership

KNU leader Zipporah Sein met with NLD opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Yangon. (08/04/2012)
Karen community based organisations (CBOs)

Facilitators

The Dawei Princess Company is involved in facilitating the peace process between the KNU and Myanmar government. Company boss U Ko Ko Maung and Managing Director U Ngwe Soe have attended all the peace meetings between the KNU and government. Dawei Princess Company finances and arranges the meetings and travel for the government peace delegation. Karen News also reported that they paid for the setup and the running cost of the KNU liaison office in Dawei (Tavoy) town. The Dawei Princess company, also known as Hein Yadana Moe, is a sub-contractor in the $60B Dawei Special Economic Zone, which includes part of the KNU’s controlled area.

International Partnerships

MPSI

Kyauk Kyi Project Pilot project: 2010 – present

A $5M (US) pilot project has been initiated in Kyauk Kyi Township, Bago Region. The project will focus primarily on resettling the estimated 1.5M Karen internally displaced people (IDPs). But it will also be used to provide food, farming equipment, clearing land mines and establishing liaison offices. The project that’s receiving funding through the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) is based on a needs assessment undertaken by the KNU-related IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) assistance group, CIDKP (Committee of Internally Displaced Karen People), and also involves an initial non-technical survey of landmines in target areas. Current status: Monitoring and Evaluation (Jan.15, 2013), As of September, 2012 the CIDKP distributed 517 bags of rice to villagers. Over the next few months, it’s expected that other items such as different food products, mosquito nets and cooking utensils will also be delivered.

http://www.emb-norway.or.th/News_and_events/MPSI/Monitoring-report-Kyauk-Kyi/

http://www.emb-norway.or.th/News_and_events/MPSI/The-Kyauk-Kyi-Pilot-Project-in-Bago-Region/

KNU leaders met with US Ambassador Derek Mitchell on Jan.11, 2013 in Pa-an (Hpa-an), Karen state to discuss the country’s current political landscape and ongoing ceasefires.

Norwegian Peace Association: donations for food, clothes and education supplies; partner with MPSI

Nippon Foundation – agreed to supply food donations for IDPs

Statements

The KNU reaffirms deeply its appreciation of effort by current Burma (Myanmar) government and its processes for securing ceasefire and peace with the armed ethnic organizations. 04/12/2012
Position Statement of KNU on Current Situation in the Country, 04/12/2012 http://www.burmapartnership.org/2012/12/position-statement-of-knu-on-current-situation-in-the-country/
The KNU released a statement calling for tri-partite dialogue so that all ethnic and political groups can be represented and a consensus can be reached and provide a stable foundation for genuine peace and democracy in our country. 21/09/2012
Call to immediately end all Myanmar military operations in Kachin state. 21/09/2012
KNU Chairman Tamla Baw: “Though the government claims to be building peace with armed ethnic nationality forces, it is my analysis that, in practice, it is working with an emphasis only on business matters, rather than dialogue for peace with a political essence,” he said. 09/08/2012
KNU Vice President David Takapaw: says INGOs are pressuring the KNU to talk with the government. 02/07/2012
KNU chief calls for close scrutiny of Myanmar. 14/05/2012
The KNU expressed hope that the peace negotiations would be more effective with the inclusion of the president, vice president and top military officers of the peace committee. 10/05/2012
KNU said the government and President Thein Sein appear to be sincere about implementing peace. (03/05/2012, 08/04/2012)
Ceasefires Are Not Peace: KNU lays out crucial steps to achieve lasting peace in Burma. 22/02/2012
Four-point statement calling for the withdrawal of all government troops from its controlled areas: a first-stage ceasefire, consolidating the ceasefire, political talks, political cooperation. 22/02/2012
KNU President Tamla Baw said that recent agreements reached with the Myanmar government were just “small initial steps” on the road to peace, and urged the Karen people to continue working for greater autonomy. 31/01/2012
KNU Statement on Peace Talks. 24/11/2011