CNI News

24 July 2025

A agreement was reached in the meeting on peace, stability and unity of Karen State to change the Border Guard Force (BGF) into the Karen National Army (KNA) and the meeting pledged not to secede from Myanmar. 

The meeting was held in the Aye Lin Mya Shin Dhamayon in the Myine Gyi Ngu Special Region on July 20, 2025.

The points that were discussed in the meeting included (1) that as the BGF emerged based on religion from the Karen National Union (KNU), the force will sacrifice their lives for the religion to protect the religion and (2) the force will protect Karen people and ethnic groups in Karen State, and (3) the force has determined not secede from Myanmar and (4) the force will give priority to and carry out regional peace, stability and development and the force will make an attempt to ensure that Karen State achieves self-administration and self-determination as well as a federal democratic union is established, and (6) Sayadaws and Sanghas are informed that the BGF will be changed into the KNA, and (7) Sayadaws and Sanghas were requested to tell their advice, opinion and comments about changing the BGF into the KNA, according to a participant in the discussion.

The seven points were discussed by the BGF leaders, Sanghas, political parties and elders of the community and three points were agreed reportedly. 

The three points are that (1) changing the BGF into the KNA was agreed, and (2) they agreed that the KNA will never secede from Myanmar, and (3) a prayer ceremony for peace will be held.

The meeting was attended by 47 monks, members from Karen political parties, nine elders of the community, 18 leaders and commanders of the BGF, 79 village and ward administrators and 292 elders from various villages, a total of 445 people.