Border Guard Force (BGF) secretary of information Major Naing Maung Zaw released a statement on Wednesday claiming the government-controlled armed group considers itself a third member of a brotherhood union between the break- away Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) and Karen National Union (KNU).
"Under the conditions of ceasefire, we are all brothers. Because of this we were able to form an armed forces unity committee this past May," said Naing Maung Zaw.
The DKBA and KNU were the third and sixth armed groups to sign ceasefire agreements with Naypyidaw, respectively.
Currently the three armed groups are cooperating on a number of projects in Karen state, including a landmine clearing initiative in Kyone Thaw and Mi in Myaing Gyi Ngu.
Furthermore, the groups have agreed to work together towards eradicating drug trafficking, the construction of infrastructure projects in underdeveloped Karen villages and the promotion of nationwide peace.
To materialize these goals, the three bodies will hold quarterly meetings focused on structuring tripartite efforts to improve village communities. Political discussions are not on the agenda, the BGF major said.
The BGF celebrates its third year anniversary on August 20 in Shwe Koh Ko camp in Myawaddy Township.
