KNU

An attempt to reunify a recent division in the Karen National Union has made marked progress this week when both sides agreed to talk. Karen people and community-based-organizations around the world were shocked to read in the media that three KNU leaders had breached the political organizations ‘peace-talks’ protocols and were negotiating independently with the Burma government. Tension among the…

The recent development within the KNU’s leadership has sent viral shock wave across the Karen communities both inside and abroad. The revelation that KNLA’s top leader, some brigade commanders, district officials and KNU Central committees journeyed to Pan-An to open a liaison office without KNU’s approval and the subsequent dismissal of three senior members, including the commander-in-chief, has made Karen…

The European Karen Network (EKN) urged the Burmese government and international aid donors not to seek to divide the Karen under the guise of ‘peace-talk’ initiatives. An EKN released a statement paper following the Karen National Union’s dismissal of three of its leaders for failing to adhere to its principles. The three leaders dismissed for organizational misconduct are – Karen…

The Karen National Union Executive Committee has dismissed the head of its army, and two other KNU leaders for breaching its ‘peace-talk’ protocols. The three dissenting leaders are General Mutu Say Poe, the Karen National Liberation Army’s General-Officer-in-Command, Padoh Saw David Taw, Chief of the Justice Department and Padoh Saw Roger Khin, Chief of Health and Welfare Department. The three-sacked…

In defiance of Karen National Union policy, Karen National Liberation Army chief General Mutu Say Po opened a temporary central level liaison office in Pa-an Town, Karen State on Saturday, September 29. An attendee at the opening ceremony told Karen News that around 200 people attended turned up as well as representatives from the Burma government. Minister Aung Min, representing…

Today the Karen National Union issued an extraordinary statement detailing what appears to be a major split in their organization. The news of a split comes at a bad time for the Karen as their political organization is holding a series of high-level peace-talks with the Burmese government. The KNU statement said, “Lt. General Mutu Say Po, together with a…

The Karen National Union announced in a media statement that its third round of ‘peace-talks’ with the Burmese Government was a success and the two sides will meet again later this year. The KNU official statement was released on September 4 after the latest ‘peace-talks’ held in Hpa-An Town, two days ago. Naw May Oo Mutraw, a spokesperson with the…

A military ceasefire Code of Conduct was the first and the main issue discussed during the third round of peace-talks held between the Karen National Union and the Burma government at the Zwekabin Hotel in Hpa-an Town, Karen State yesterday. Both the KNU and government presented their draft Code of Conduct to each other for an in-depth discussion of the…

The Karen National Union’s vice chairman, Saw David Tharc Kapaw, acknowledged that Burma’s recent cabinet reshuffle has cast President U Thein Sein as a reformer. The KNU leader told Karen News. “I see a positive change. These newly appointed people are not regarded as narrow minded and self-serving. I think President U Thein Sein is a reformer who really wants…

The Karen National Union, despite being classified as an illegal organization, has attended a traditional wrist tying ceremony in Government controlled territory. Under article 17/1 of the Illegal Organization Act the KNU is still considered an outlaw group despite entering ‘peace-talks’ with the government. In what is considered a welcomed historic first by many Karen, the KNU celebrated the 35th…