SUMMARYFounded: 8th November, 2010 Headquarters: Sonesee Myaing, Myawaddy Township in Karen State. Active Territories: Kyarinseikgyi-Phayathonesu Valley in Hlaingbwe Township, Kawkareik Township and Myawaddy Township Strength: Nearly 3000 Military Chief – General Saw Steel Quartermaster General – Colonel Saw Sein Win The Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) signed a ceasefire at the state and union levels in November and December 2011. In 2015, the group signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) on October 15th, with the U Thein Sein administration. Although the DKBA participated in the peace process along with other ethnic armed groups under the NCA, clashes occurred in Hlaingbwe Township with the Border Guard Force (BGF), which is under the control of the Tatmadaw (military). On January 6th, 2018, clashes occurred between the DKBA and the Karen National Union (KNU). The DKBA has not yet succeeded in establishing a military region. Fighting continues in the region, displacing thousands of people. The group adheres to the NCA in terms of its position on peace and its goals. Following the February 2021 military coup, there were four days of fighting between the DKBA and the military junta troops. The group continues to work together as a member of the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST), although there have been changes in leadership within the organisation. A delegation led by the late DKBA Commander-in-Chief General Saw Mo Shay held an informal meeting with the junta’s National Solidarity and Peace-making Central Committee (NSPCC) in Nay Pyi Taw on April 26th, 2021. On 23 September 2021, Lieutenant General Saw Steel, the DKBA Deputy Chief of Staff, was appointed to replace Commander-in-Chief General Saw Mo Shay, who died while receiving medical treatment on 21 July 2021. On 26 April 2022, more than 200 DKBA troops led by Bo Salone defected to the Karen National Defense Organization (KNDO) forces led by Brigadier General Saw Ner Dah Bo Mya under the Karen National Union (KNU). 69 At a meeting with the locals together with the military council force and the Border Guard Force (BGF) in Falugyi village in Myawaddy Township on 4 June 2022, General Saw Steel accused those involved in armed conflict in the Lay Kay Kaw area of waging war with financial support from Myanmar expats.70 On 3 August 2022, a meeting was held between some top leaders including Chief of Staff General Saw Johnny of the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army (KNU/KNLA) and DKBA Commander in Chief General Saw Steel. At the meeting, the both sides reached an agreement, including the issue of reunification. 71 At around 12 midnight on 6 September 2022, there was a drone bombing attack on General Saw Steel’s residence in the compound of Sone See Myaing camp. The organization which carried out the drone attack has yet to be confirmed. 72 Although there was a change in leadership within the organization, the DKBA continues to cooperate as a member of the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST), as well as to hold informal meetings with the military council. It can be said that until now, there has been no connection between the DKBA and the Spring Revolution forces who are opposing the military council.
Ceasefires and Peace Process Fighting after ceasefire Head quarter Guard Forces – 904, 906, 908 Alliance | Ceasefire & Peace Process3rd resistance group to sign ceasefire with government Post-ceasefire Clashes: Military column 1: Btl 907, 909, 910 Military column 2: Btl 901, 902, 903 Official delegation team: N/A Members: NCCT, PPST, UPDJC. Liaison offices :
Contact: |
Meetings
| # | Date | Location | Armed Group Rep | Govt Rep | Details |
| 1 | 26/10/2011 | Mottama, Thaton District, Mon state | Brigadier General Moo Shay | Thein Zaw | Preliminary meeting Maung Maung Thein, commander of the Southeast Regional Military Command and chief ministers of Karen and Mon states were also present |
| 2 | 03/11/2011 | Hpa-an, Karen state | Brigadier General Moo Shay | Col Aung Lwin Minister for Security and Border Affairs of Kayin state | State level meeting, 5 point ceasefire agreement signed, both sides represented by 4 member delegation |
| 3 | 11/12/2011 | Hpa-an, Karen state | Saw Lah Pwe, 6 member delegation | Aung Thaung, 7 member delegation | Signed Union level peace agreement |
| 4 | 22/01/2013 | Myawaddy, Karen state | Saw Lah Pwe, 8 member delegation | Aung Min, Gen Maung Maung Ohn + 9 others | Agreement on 3 points: demarcation of control areas, open liaison offices, provide assistance to DKBA |
| 5 | 04/05/2013 | Kayin State government office in Hpaan | Maj. Maung Lay | Kayin State Security and Border Affairs Minister Aung Lwin | To discuss recent fighting between the DKBA-5 and local BGF, however the issue was not resolved satisfactorily,and DKBA representative Maj. Maung Lay went to Naypyitaw to discuss matters with the central government official. |
| 6 | 06/05/2013 | Naypyidaw | Maj. Maung Lay | Aung Min | Discuss fighting in Myaing Gyi Ngu. ways to how to avoid conflict in the future. The Minister [Aung Min] said he will present the results of our discussion to his superiors. If it is approved, he will come to Kayin [Karen] State as soon as possible to discuss matters with the Kayin State government, the BGF and ourselves. I think it will take a maximum of one week to solve the problem.” DKBA said it wanted to maintain the ceasefire agreement, and suggested that a liaison group be formed to mediate between the DKBA and other ceasefire groups. |
| 7 | 11/05/2013 | Sonesee Myaing in Myawaddy township, Karen state | Gen. Saw Lah Pwe, Gen. Moe Shay, Brig. Gen. Kyaw Thet, Brig. Gen. Kyaw Beh from DKBA | Dr. Min Zaw Oo and U Aung Naing Oo from MPC | Dr. Zaw Oo and U Aung Naing Oo discussed with DKBA leaders. Then they also discussed with representatives from BGF. they collected the information resulted from the discussion and reported it to U Aung Min. the aim of this meeting is to solve the conflict between DKBA and BGF. |
| 8 | 09/02/2014 | Yangon | DKBA- Gen Saw Lar Bwe | Aung Main | Goodwill |
| 9 | 01/04/2014 | Karen State Entrance | DKBA – Col Saw Sann Aung | Karen State Government and Police Forces/ Zaw Minn minister | Informal meeting |
Developments
Agreed:
- Temporary settlement of Kalo Htoo Baw armed group at the environs of Sonesee-myaing
- Cooperate with the government in regional development, and improvement of socio-economic status in Sukali region under existing laws, based temporarily in Sonesee Myaing region
- Settlement of members of Kalo Htoo Baw group and their families
- Fight against narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
declared Myawaddy district as a drug-free zone on May 20, 2012 - DKBA and Local government open the village bridge in kawkarik township (May 24)
Clashes
Feb. 19, 2012:A joint force of Myanmar army and border guard force (BGF) troops raided a DKBA military base. They allegedly seized a cache of weapons including AK-47s, AR-15 rifles and RPGs belonging to DKBA. (DKBA: 3 killed, 2 injured)
Statements
Dec 22, 2018 – DKBA released a statement regarding Tatmadaw’s statement
Oct 31, 2018 – DKBA released a statement regarding 30th Anniversary of ABSDF
Aug 01, 2017 – DKBA released a statement regarding Saw Nyi Nyi
Feb 04, 2017 – DKBA released a special statement
Aug 17, 2015 – KNU, DKBA, KNU/KNLA Peace Council, and RCSS released a joint statement on signing the NCA
Nov 2, 2014 – DKBA released a statement on KAF formation
Oct 30, 2014 – KAF formation statement released after the meeting
Oct 21, 2014 – DKBA discharged Lt. Col. Saw San Aung
Oct 13, 2014 – KAF Agreement in Burmese
Oct 13, 2014 – KAF Statement in Burmese
Oct 13, 2014 – KAF Statement in English
Feb 23, 2012 – DKBA threatened to void its cease-fire agreement with the government unless its arms are returned by the BGF that was responsible for the weapons seizure on Feb. 12, 2012.
Dec 27, 2012 – DKBA spokesperson Maj. San Aung said there will be no peace unless the military stops launching offensiveattacks against KIO.
Dec 15, 2012 – DKBA staged a protest in Myawaddy while bearing arms call on the government to apologize for their actions against Buddhist monks during the Letpandaung crackdown and to stop the offensive in Kachin state.
Jan 4, 2013 – DKBA issue a statement condemning government offensives in Kachin and northern Shan states (1) All ethnic people in Myanmar are our relation, the current government attacks to KIA, as like attach to us. We strongly object the launch an offensive to KIA. (2) Due to launch an offensive on KIA, we DKBA, and other Organizations and all civil have reduced trust on Government. if government continues to attack the KIA, Government will lose all recent ceasefire agreements.
Partnership
The DKBA is working towards establishing closer relationships with the KNU and the KNU/KNLA Peace Council. The Karen groups met on March 6, 2012 to discuss rebuilding trust to strengthen the struggle for the Karen cause in accordance with the principles of Karen Martyr and revolutionary leader Saw Ba Oo Gyi.
http://karennews.org/2012/03/knu-dkba-and-knuknla-peace-council-find-strength-in-unity.html/
Reference: Deciphering Myanmar’s Peace Process – A Reference Guide (2022 – 2023)
