CNI News

 22 July 2022 

Splits within the Karen National Defence Organization (KNDO) do not bode well for the interests of Karen people, Chairman Mahn Aung Pyi Soe of the Karen National Democratic Party told the CNI. 

After Maj-Gen Saw Nerdah Mya announced the formation of the Kaw Thoo Lei Army on 19 July, the Karen National Union (KNU) issued a statement dismissing him on 20 July. 

The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the armed wing of the KNDO, also announced that it would not recognize the splintered faction. 

    Statement for formation of the Kaw Thoo Lei Army.

Mahn Aung Pyi Soe said, “We are disappointed and sad. An armed organization has splintered into different factions. We have already learnt the history of the KNU, which had splintered into factions previously. The faction led by the Sayadaw broke away from the KNU and formed the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army, which again splintered into the KNLA-PC, the BGF and other factions. Such splits do not augur well for Karen people. Not only the Karen but also other ethnic groups should be aware of this. Such divisions and disunity are not beneficial for the people.”

The Kaw Thoo Lei Army led by Maj-Gen Saw Nerdah Mya said in a statement that the KNDO led by chief of staff Maj-Gen Saw Shee Lei is one of the signatories of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement with the Tatmadaw and has posed difficulties for their movement.

  Statements issued by the KNLA.

The statement added that the Kaw Thoo Lei Army stands as a people's army of Karen ethnic group and will defeat the Tatmadaw until the victory of the revolution has been achieved. 

In response, the central executive committee of the KNU announced after its meeting on 20 July that it dismissed Maj-Gen Saw Nerdah Mya and the KNU would not be held accountable for his actions. 

Mahn Aung Pyi Soe told the CNI, “I am wondering whether it would be easy for them to hold negotiations among themselves. As such, I don’t know there might be further splits like the San Aung faction and the Kyaw Thet faction, who had broken away from the DKBA in the past. If they can negotiate among themselves and reach agreements, we will be happy, but we are worried about the situation.”

Current Karen armed organizations include the KNU, the DKBA, the KNU/KNLA-PC and the BGF.

CNI News

22 July 2022

As Shwebo rice was in short supply in the domestic market, the prices of the rice variety surged, according to rice merchants.

The price of a 24-pyi bag of Shwebo rice rose by K 5,000 and the prices were likely to surge further, U Shine Win Latt, the owner of Shwebo Rice Trading at Wartan Road Commodity Exchange, told the CNI.

U Shine Win Latt said, “Rice prices, especially Shwebo rice, have risen. I think paddy was in short supply in Shwebo. As merchants do not have paddy to be milled, prices have surged. As the region mainly supplies rice to Yangon, the prices have soared here. Shwebo rice prices have risen by K 5,000 per bag. The prices are likely to rise further.”

Furthermore, rice supply to Bayint Naung Commodity Exchange dropped recently to only one-third of previous supply volumes, according to the commodity exchange.

The entrance to Shwebo.

As Shwebo rice was in short supply, merchants had to trade other varieties of rice, pushing up their prices, especially those from Ayeyarwady, U Shine Win Latt said.

“There are other varieties of rice like Ayeyarwady rice in the market but their prices have also risen as all commodity prices have risen. Farmers had to buy their inputs at rising prices and incurred more agricultural costs. So, consumers have started to think about mixing Shwebo rice with other varieties for their meals. If Shwebo rice is in short supply they will have to rely on other varieties. It is likely that Shwebo rice will be in short supply at present,” he told the CNI.

Shwebo rice is in short supply in the market since cultivation acreage of monsoon and summer paddy in the area dropped last year and paddy yields decreased.

As farmers in Shwebo were also displaced by regional instabilities while cultivation costs were rising, they were not able to grow as much paddy as before and paddy yields dropped.

Displaced people in Wetlet in Shwebo Township.

Farmers were worried about the shortages of seed paddy in coming years due to decreasing cultivation acreage, a local farmer in Shwebo told the CNI.

“Most farmers cannot grow paddy in our region currently as they are struggling with other problems. Only a few of them have started farming. Majority of them have not started farming as cultivation costs are rising. Farmers have to borrow money from others to invest in their farms as they are struggling with their costs of living. Most of them have not started farming. They are worried about the shortages of seed paddy in the coming years as they cannot grow rice this year. Under current circumstances, they are worried about their uncertain future,” the farmer said.

Residents of Shwebo mainly grow paddy and rice produced in the region and Shwebo rice fetches higher prices than that of other regions and gains the largest market shares in Myanmar.

As total acreage of paddy cultivated in Shwebo has decreased below the regional needs, the region is not likely to supply rice to other regions, according to rice merchants.

CNI News

22 July 2022

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is still able to exert her influence on the People’s Defence Forces (PDFs) and the National Unity Government (NUG), which are fighting for democracy, according to Chairman Dr. Aye Maung of the Arakan Front Party.

It is widely believed at home and abroad that the role and attitude of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is vital in resolving the current Myanmar political crisis and that she is able to use her influence on the PDF and the NUG to change their uncompromising attitude.

“No one has conducted surveys on the extent of influence she can exert on the PDF and the NUG but anyone can guess she has more or less influence on them. She has influence on them to a certain extent because the NUG has included Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint in their government,” he told the CNI.