He said the current peace negotiating delegation has been dissolved, and that a new team would be formed at the next meeting of the KNU’s central executive committee.

“The peace process depends on KNU policy,” Pado Mahn Mahn told Mizzima. “A change of leadership will not directly influence it. The process will remain the same. It will follow two basic steps from an initial ceasefire to a lasting ceasefire. Then it will follow two more steps with political dialogue.”

The former KNU peace delegation was formed in November 2011, and was headed by then Vice-Chairman David Takapaw, then General-Secretary Zipporah Sein, then KNU Commander-in-Chief Gen. Mutu Say Poe, former Judicial Department chief David Taw, Health Department chief Maj. Roger Khin, Forestry Department chief Saw Ah Toe, and Pa-an District Chairperson Aung Maw Aye.
 
At the 15th KNU Congress held in the ethnic group’s Brigade 7 territory in Pa-an District from November 26 to December 26, former Commander-in-Chief Mutu Say Poe was elected the new KNU chairperson. Brig-Gen Johnny was appointed the new commander-in-chief and Baw Kyaw Hei became the new Deputy Commander-in-Chief.

Despite the change of leadership within the KNU, the peace talks with the Burmese government will continue as before, said Pado Mahn Mahn.