The Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) will continue with the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) all-inclusiveness policy of not signing the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) until all ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) are included in the NCA process.
The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the KNPP Central Committee held on 15 and 16 November where committee members reviewed the current political situation and the peace process.
The KNPP is a member of the UNFC, which is a coalition of seven EAOs who have not yet signed the NCA.
U Aung San Myint, the KNPP General Secretary, said: “The KNPP has already been adhering to this all-inclusive policy. Now, we need to strive for the inclusion of the remaining [ethnic armed] organisations that have not signed [the NCA] and those that are fighting [with government forces].”
He went on to say: “There are currently 21 [ethnic armed] organisations. Only eight organisations have signed [the NCA] and 13 organisations have been unable to sign it. Skirmishes are still breaking out at the lower levels in some areas. Also, there are still problems in our relationship with the Burmese government and the government backed troops. There are still complications in moving towards the eight points [demanded by the UNFC before they sign the] peace process, which are being discussed today.”
At the KNPP Central Committee meeting it was also decided that the KNPP would urge the Burmese Government to immediately stop fighting in KNPP territory and other EAO’s territories because such conflicts hinder then implementation of the peace process.
The committee also laid out some of its plans for the future and had discussions about attending the UNFC Conference, which is scheduled for December.
The KNPP signed a preliminary union-level ceasefire with the Burmese Government on 9 June 2012.
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI
