Karen National Liberation Army – Peace Council (KNU/KNLA PC [KPC])

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Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army (Peace Council) KNU/KNLA PC (KPC)

kpc


SUMMARY

Established: 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.

Number of clashes with the Myanmar army No clashes between the KPC and the Myanmar army from 2019 to the end of March 2023.
Number of clashes with EROs One clash with the New Mon State Party (NMSP) in 2020.


Ceasefires and Peace Process

– 9th EAO to sign a ceasefire agreement
– Step 1 – State-level Ceasefire Agreement (February 7, 2012)
– Step 2 – Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (October 15, 2015)
– Former Ceasefire agreement – February 11, 2017

Official Representative Team
Saw Htay Maung, Dr. Temawthay Lat Lam, Saw Yin Nu, Dr. Naw Kapaw Htoo, Saw El Kyaw Htoo, Dr. Saw Aung Than, Naw Karen Na

The KNU/KNLA Peace Council’s aim and determination are:

  1. To stop all kinds of military offenses against the Karen including stopping atrocities, forced labor and any form of human rights abuse.
  2. To regain the Karen land.
  3. To solve the refugees and IDP problem by allowing refugees to return to their homeland to live peacefully under the care of the KNU/KNLA Peace Council (not under the Burmese military). Allowing UNHCR, NGOs and other aid agencies to have access to take care of rebuilding the Karen community.
  4. To allow Karen to cultivate our own land and utilize our own natural resources to develop the Karen state. That includes infrastructure, farming, tourism, fisheries, import /export trade, schools, hospitals, medical care etc.
  5. To allow Karen to freely practice religious and cultural celebrations including Karen National Day, Martyrs Day, Karen New Year etc.
  6. To hold the legal right to have our own arms and set up our own Karen army forces to protect the safety and peaceful living of our own people. Recognition of both the Karen National Flag and Military Flag.
  7. To support non-violent activity that will bring political change to Democracy and the Karen to hold the right to develop our own Democratic society within our own State as well as Burma as a whole.

Liaison Offices
1. Mandalay
2. Phaya Thone Su

Alliances
Karen armed groups


Official delegation team

Saw 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


 


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)


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