Typically Mohnyin Township has been very stable seeing very little clashes since a seventeen-year ceasefire between the Kachin Independence Organisation, the political wing of the KIA, and government unraveled in June of 2011. Politicians are at a loss to explain why fighting is breaking out just after the election. Airstrikes and heavy artillery have been allegedly used by the Myanmar Armed Forces.

Dr. Manam Tu Jar, chairman for Kachin State Democracy Party, told the BNI Election Newsroom the fighting has the potential to undermine the current government’s participation in peace talks and the transition of power when the winning parties are sworn into office. The KSDP has been a participant in peace talks.

“The battles will do nothing but (create) negative effects. There may be mistrust between the next government and the ethnic groups due to these battles,” said Dr. Manam Tu Jar.

Yesterday the KSDP released a statement for fighting to stop.  

Presently the fighting has been contained to the countryside on the boundaries of the township. If things keep up like they have been it could spill over into Mohnyin town where a camp for the displaced is set up. Daw San San Ei, a winning candidate for the National League for Democracy that took a Lower House seat in Mohnyin constituency said that so far fighting is still far from the town.  

Politicians that were victorious in the recent election said they can’t officially comment on the situation, but are closely monitoring fighting to determine its cause, recording civilian casualties and how many have been displaced.

“I believe that both groups are responsible. We still need to conduct a deeper analysis,” said Daw San San Ei, adding that allegations of the Myanmar Armed Forces employing air strikes have definitely complicated matters.

So far not many have joined the internally displaced persons camp in Mohnyin town. There have been reports that some are sheltering in churches.

Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by BNI staff