CNI News

13 Nov 2022

Four Karen armed factions will reunify eventually in the future , Col Saw San Aung of the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army told the CNI.

If Karen armed factions reunify, the Karen people will be glad, he added.

He told the CNI, "We have yet to discuss the details but we are standing under the Karen National Flag in the near future. There will be no problems for armed factions of the same ethic group to reunify. The Karen people will be happy if all factions can reunify. As there are many factions, the people have to pay taxes at various gates of each group and taxes have been a burden for the public."

Col, Saw San Aung.(KNU)

He also added that it would take time for the four factions to reunify and the current political situation of the country was complicated and reunification was possible when the country was stable.

Led by the Karen National Union, leaders of Karen armed factions inclding the DKBA, the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army/Peace Council and the Border Guard Force in Karen State met with the people and discussed a peace deal.

The meeting was attended by Vice Chairman Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win and Chief of Staff Gen Saw Johnny of the KNU, and Vice Chairperson Naw Kapaw Htoo from the KNU/KNLA/PC.

Leaders of Karen armed groups meet in Kyar Inn Village in Hlaingbwe Township, Karen State on 11th November, 2022.(KNU)

Col Saw San Aung said, "Karen armed factions have been cooperating since 2013 by forming a reunification committee. However, we did not announce it publicly.  As the committee was formed without convening a conference, there were weaknesses. At yesterday's meeting, we revealed the public that we had been working to that end since 2013. We also hold discussions to avoid bloodshed among our factions."

The four Karen armed factions are active in Karen State.

Among them, the KNU, the DKBA and the KNU/KNLA/PC are signatories to the NCA and BGF is under the command of the military.