Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army (Peace Council) KNU/KNLA PC (KPC) |
SUMMARYEstablished: 11 February, 2007 Headquarters: Kawkareik Township, Karen State. Active Territories: Kawkareik and Hlaingbwe Townships, Karen State. Strength: Over 500 Chairman: General Saw Htaw Lay Vice Chariman: Dr. Naw Kapaw Htoo General Secretary: Colonel Saw Kyaw Nyunt After being expelled from the Central Executive Committee of the Karen National Union (KNU) for engaging in peace talks with the military regime without permission from the parent organization, Major-General Htein Maung led the formation of the KNU/KNLA – Peace Council (KPC) and signed a ceasefire agreement with the junta in early February 2007. In February 2012, the faction continued to sign state and union-level ceasefires, and the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) with the U Thein Sein government on 15 October 2015.It then participated in the peace process under the NCA. The fact that not all Ethnic Revolutionary Organizations (EROs) had signed the NCA was a major challenge, said General Saw Htaw Lay on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of the Peace Council. However, in the third week of May 2022, the council held meetings with coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, and the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) under the military council. It presented converging views on implementing a multi-party democratic system and building a federal union based on democracy and federalism. The KPC General Secretary Colonel Saw Kyaw Nyunt, who also serves as the spokesperson for the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST), said that it is currently facing unprecedented challenges. More so than under any previous era or government.
Official Representative Team The KNU/KNLA Peace Council’s aim and determination are:
| Liaison Offices Alliances 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
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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 (2022 – 2023)