As the Karen National Union prepares to stage elections for its leadership body, local political parties have said whoever wins must continue to support the peace process.
The KNU was one of the eight ethnic armed organizations to sign the nominally Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement with the government in 2015.
However, the KNU’s governance may be due for a shakeup as the 16th Congress puts top positions to a vote this month. Factions within the KNU were divided about the NCA, with some leaders, notably vice chair Naw Zipporah Sein, pushing for a political settlement before a ceasefire.
“I assume that all KNU leaders want peace. I hope the leaders [to be elected by] this congress are democratic leaders and they will continue to cooperate with the [central] government as well as other ethnic armed groups to implement the peace process,” said Mahn Kyaw Nyein, secretary of the Karen National Party (KNP).
Plone Swor Democratic Party (PSDP) general secretary Saw Kyi Linn said he feels confident that however the congress elections turn out, the KNU will continue to engage in the peace process.
“I believe the appointed leaders will have qualifications and they always work for the benefit of the [Karen] people and will continue to work for peace,” he said.
Over 300 participants, including the KNU’s central executive committee, representatives from the organization’s brigade and district-level offices, and Karen people from both within Myanmar and from overseas, are attending the 16th KNU Congress.
The meeting began on March 14 in Hpa-an district, Kayin State. The congress, which meets every four years, is expected to produce an agenda and hold elections for leadership positions. Current KNU chair General Mutu Saw Poe, and vice chair Naw Zipporah Sein, are both expected to be in contention for the top post.
Translated by Aong Jaeneh
Edited by Laignee Barron for BNI
