The Karen National Union (KNU) said its former chairman and several ex-leaders attended the 10th anniversary ceremony of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in Naypyidaw in their personal capacity, stressing that their participation did not represent the organisation.

KNU spokesperson Padoh Saw Taw Nee told Mizzima that the former officials joined the junta-organised event on their own initiative, without the KNU’s approval.

“They went there of their own accord. They no longer hold any official positions within the organisation. However, even as ordinary members, their actions contradict the KNU’s policies,” he said, adding that their attendance runs counter to the group’s principles and policy stance.

When asked how the KNU leadership would respond to the breach, the spokesperson declined to comment.

Among those attending the ceremony were former KNU chairman Saw Mutu Say Poe and former Dooplaya District chairman Padoh Saw Shwe Maung.

The event, which runs through 17 October, also drew other groups and individuals, including Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) Deputy Commander-in-Chief Lt. Gen. Saw Shwe Wa, Peace Council (PC) Vice Chair Naw Kapaw Htoo, Saw Mya Yazar Lin of the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), Nai Aung Min from the New Mon State Party (NMSP), and Col. Khun Okkar, a former representative of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO).