Saw Tar Malar Thaw, Spokesperson of the KNLA on December 2 called on the Burmese army to withdraw from military camps established under the cover of the NCA ceasefire agreement, and urged the new government to assert overall control over the flagging peace process.
The KNLA detailed some examples of Burmese troops increasing their military deployment actions contrary to the terms of the ceasefire agreement. They cited the 8th Military Operations Command (SaKaSa-8) doubling the number of its troops in Thu Mwe Hta-Marnalpalaw, where the Brigade-5 shares a border with Brigade-7.”
On December 2 there were clashes between the two sides in the places controlled by the Karen National Union’s (KNU) Brigade-5. On July 16 2020 locals staged protests calling for the withdrawal of military camps after soldiers from 409th Light Infantry Division (KhaLaYa-409) from the 8th Military Operations Command killed a female from Poeloehta village and took her necklace and earrings.
The KNLA pointed out that according to the NCA, both sides shall avoid the deployment of troops in heavily populated areas, and there should be no construction of new military camps. In the interests of peace and regional stability, the KNLA calls on the Myanmar Tatmadaw to withdraw from the military camps in the villages by the end of 2020.
Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) has urged the new government to deal with the violations of the agreements described in the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) by Myanmar army, said Saw Tar Malar Thaw, Spokesperson of the KNLA.
“It is the government which is the leader of the peace process. That is why the government cannot pretend the enforcement of the ceasefire has nothing to do with it. In the past the government claimed it only deals with the political side. There were gaps in the ceasefire process as ceasefire was viewed as only in the hands of the army. I urge the government to take charge of the whole peace process,” he added.
In its statement, the KNLA said the incumbent government has been unable to implement the Chapter-3 and -6 of the NCA. In addition, the government was unable to implement Chapter-4 as an effective mechanism. According to para-3 of the Chapter-3, “We agree that within fourteen (14) days of signing this Agreement, responsible authorities from the Tatmadaw and the Ethnic Armed Organizations shall meet, to define the exact time frames governing ceasefire related matters and their implementation.” But it has never happened.
The KNU will continue carrying out national and regional security. The possible problems caused by the continued violations reflect the failure of the government and the Tatmadaw in the peace building process.
According to the statement by the Tatmadaw True News Information Team in early December, the Tatmadaw would continue to stop all military activities across the country, apart from the places where the terrorist organizations are active.
The KNLA will play a role in the new government’s efforts to ensure the emergence of a genuine union and local-peace making under the leadership of the Karen National Union (KNU).
