CNI News

12 August 2023

They will review the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), said Col. Khun Okka, patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) to CNI News. 
The NCA had been void, said Pado Sawta Do Hmu at the 100th day press conference held on 10th August after the 17th congress of the Karen National Union (KNU). 

They would discuss about the speech that the NCA had been void and he didn't want to comment on that, said Col. Khum Okka.

" We are discussing about that today (11th August). I don't want to comment on that now. We are working on what to write. I'll send it if it's finished. We are a little seriously preparing. Sawta Nee also had told the speech like that in the past. We had responded at that time. We had explained to Sawta Nee. But he hasn't worked there. Now that general secretary has revealed, it could be a policy mistake. So, we are preparing systematically. I don't want to comment immediately." he said.

The NCA signing ceremony

After the Tatmadaw took power on 1st February, 2021, the Karen National Union (KNU), the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), the Chin National Front (CNF), the All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) and the New Mon State Party (NMSP) submitted letters of resignation from the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) and reduce their cooperation levels.

The NCA had been void because the Tatmadaw took power, said Pado Sawta Do Hmu, general secretary of the KNU.

" In all ages, the nation building has been done in a top-down approach that did not work. We have all gained experience through life. I want to say that it is important to build the foundation strongly from the bottom up. Because the Tatmadaw has taken power, the NC.A has been void at the same time that I want to say." he said

The Karen National Union (KNU), the Chin National Front (CNF), All Burma Students Democratic Front, the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), the KNU/KNLA Peace Council (KPC) and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) signed the NCA on 15th October,2015.

After that, the New Mon State Party (NMSP), Lahu Democratic Union (LDU) signed the NCA on 13th February, 2018.

At present, battles are breaking out between KNU, CNF, ABSDF and the Tatmadaw.