Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army (Peace Council) KNU/KNLA PC (KPC) |
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SUMMARYFounded: February 11th, 2007 Headquarters: Kawkareik, Kayin State. Active Regions: Kayin State – Kawkareik, Hlaingbwe. Size: Over 500 Leadership The Karen National Liberation Army (Peace Council) KNU/KNLA PC was formed under the leadership of Maj. Gen. Saw Htein Maung after he was expelled from the KNU Central Committee for initiating peace talks with the military government without KNU approval. The group signed a ceasefire agreement with the military government in early February 2007. In February 2012, the group signed peace agreements at the state and union levels with the U Thein Sein administration. It also signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) on October 15th, 2015, and participated in the peace process in Myanmar under the NCA. The KPC participated in the reunification conference of the Kayin armed forces in 2016 and agreed to remain under the political guidance of the KNU central committee. In January 2018, an announcement by the Tatmadaw that the KPC was trading weapons for peace caused a rift between the Tatmadaw and the KPC during the peace process. After General Saw Htein Maung passed away on May 3rd, 2020, Vice-chairman General Saw Htaw Lay was elected chairman and continued to lead the KPC. General Saw Htaw Lay said on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of the Peace Council that there were obstacles and challenges. He said that the lack of full participation of all ethnic armed groups in the NCA was a major challenge for peace and political dialogue. Following the February 2021 military coup, there were informal meetings between the KPC and the SAC. The KPC remains a member of the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST). Ceasefires and Peace Process Official Representative Team Liaison Offices Alliances The KNU/KNLA Peace Council’s aim and determination are:
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Ceasefire & Peace Process9th ceasefire signing group. Official delegation teamSaw Htay Maung, Dr. Timothy Laklem, Saw Ray Nu, Dr. Naw Ka Paw Htoo, Saw Eh Kaw Htoo, Saw Joseph, Dr. Saw Aung Than, Naw Karen Ma Liaison offices1. Myawaddy Alliances: Karen armed groups |
KNU/KNLA PEACE COUNCIL CONSTITUTION
Meetings
# | Date | Location | Armed Group Rep | Govt Rep | Details |
1 | 07/02/2012 | Naypyidaw | Htay Maung | Aung Thaung | Signed State level 7-point ceasefire KPC delegates: central committee members Dr. Timothy, U Saw Yin Nu, Dr. Naw Kapaw Htoo, U Saw El Kaw Htoo, U Saw Joseph, Rev Dr. Saw Aung Than Hnit and Naw Kharin Nar Govt Delegates: U Thein Zaw, Union Minister U Ohn Myint, Kayan Township Pyithu Hluttaw representative U Maung Maung Thein, Deputy Minister Maj-Gen Zaw Win, Deputy Attorney-General U Tun Tun Oo, Kayin state minister for Security and Border Affairs Col Aung Lwin, Lt-Col Zaw Naing Oo of the Commander-in-Chief’s Office, Director-General U Htay Aung of Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry and member of the peace negotiation team U Saw Khin Soe |
2 | 21/1/2013 | Pa-an, Karen state | Htay Maung | Aung Min | The government requested the KPC to become a political party and surrender arms, however, the KPC rejected and will try to discuss the issues further. |
3 | 27/1/2014 | Thaton township | Brid Gen Saw Kyaw Lin (Brigade 1) | Ohn Myint – State Minister Mon | Mon prime minister Ohn Myint and KNU brigade 1 meet in thaton township for cooperation of rural and village development. |
Developments
Agreed points:
- Members of KNU/KNLA Peace Council are allowed to maintain a presence at Maela Hta and Tokawko village
- Travel across borders with weapons after mutual pre-negotiations
- Provide accommodation to “region peace and development troops”
- Continue to negotiate until a permanent peace deal has been reached.
- State will allow and render assistance for self-reliant undertakings for quickly fulfilling the basic needs, education, health, transport, water and electricity supply in the area for resettlement of national races that are residing in another country and render assistance for self-reliance
Demanding:
- to cease of military operations in the region
- more development of border trade and regional infrastructure
- more exploration and trade licenses for timber and mineral extraction to avoid exploitation from Thailand
- tourism
Statements
Aug 17, 2015 – KNU, DKBA, KNU/KNLA Peace Council, and RCSS released a joint statement on signing the NCA
Oct 13, 2014 – KAF Agreement in Burmese
Oct 13, 2014 – KAF Statement in Burmese
Oct 13, 2014 – KAF Statement in English
Sep 17, 2014 – KNU peace council statement
Sep 14, 2014 – Myanmar army order knu peace council
Jun 09, 2014 – Clarification statement of KPC on Padoh Mahn Nyein Maung’s speech
Feb 10, 2012 – KNU/KNLA Peace council letter to Aung San Suu Kyi
Apr 28, 2010 – KNU/KNLA Peace Council request all levels of the government to work them for a prosperous future
Apr 07, 2010 – KNU/KNLA Peace Council’s Response To 22nd April Deadline Of Merger With Burma Army
Apr 04, 2010 – Reasons for refusing Border Guard force (BGF)
Partnership
10/02/2012 KNU/KNLA Peace Council met with Aung San Suu Kyi
10/03/2012 KNU/KNLA Peace Council met with Maj. Saw Hla Ngwe, joint secretary of the KNU
Reference: Deciphering Myanmar’s Peace Process – A Reference Guide (2021 – 2022)