The Karenni National Progressive Party has re-elected its current chair, Khun Abel Tweed, in a move that has been taken to indicate the organization will not likely have a change of heart over signing the ceasefire any time soon.
The KNPP held its 13th congress from May 3 to May 10. Some had anticipated the KNPP congress would make a decision on signing the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA).
However, the leading member of the United Nationalities Federal Council’s (UNFC) Delegation for Political Negotiation only finalized a decision on the chair position.
“Everyone agreed on electing former chair Abel Tweed. The Karenni leaders welcome dialogues that are based on equality. They won’t accept a one-sided peace,” Ko Htoo Chit, a rights activist who attended the congress as an observer, wrote on Facebook on May 11.
Analysts had suggested the KNPP would be more likely to support signing the NCA in the near future if Khu Oo Reh, vice-chair of the KNPP and secretary of the UNFC, were elected to lead the group.
The KNPP is one of the five ethnic armed groups that State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had announced was going to soon sign the NCA. However, the KNPP said it has not yet committed to signing.
Kayan National Party chair Khun Bi Htoo said, “The former chair has been re-elected in the KNPP so it is unlikely [the KNPP will] make any big changes to its policy. It will continue to engage in the peace process with equality and political guarantees, but I believe it won’t easily sign the NCA.”
The DPN submitted a nine-point proposal outlining the conditions that would have to precede signing the ceasefire pact.
“Every Karenni leader is enthusiastic about developing Karenni [Kayah] State and supporting peace. They expect the best but they have also prepared for the worst,” said Ko Htoo Chit.
The KNPP was established in 1949.
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by Laignee Barron
