KNU chief calls for relaxed laws
General Mutu Say Pho, the chair of the Karen National Union (KNU), has called on the government and the army to ease restrictions and stop their repeated attacks if they want more groups to sign the nationwide ceasefire agreement.
The national-level political dialogue for Kayin State was held at the Thiri Hpa-An hotel in Hpa-An.
Mutu Say Pho said similar talks needed to be held elsewhere to help build a peace deal and an inclusive federal union. He called for a unified effort from different groups, mainly based around a viable ceasefire.
“I call on all sides to meet as quickly as possible without putting disagreements, arguments, blame, hatred and rancour at the forefront. National reconciliation is the lifeblood for the sustainable improvement of our peace processes,” he added.
The political dialogues were agreed under the ceasefire, first signed in October 2015.
The eight ceasefire signatories were the KNU, Restoration Council of Shan State, Pa-O National Liberation Organisation, Chin National Front, KNLA Peace Council, Democratic Karen Benevolent Army, All Burma’s Students Democratic Front and Arakan Liberation Party.
The non-signatories included the United Wa State Army, National Democratic Alliance Army, National Socialist Council of Nagaland in Khaplang, Kachin Independence Army, Karenni National Progressive Party, New Mon State Party, Shan State Progress Party, Ta'ang National Liberation Army, Wa National Organisation, Arakan Army and Lahu Democratic Union.
