KNU/KNLA-PC says proud of maintaining peace with junta

By Admin 07 Jul 2026

DMG Newsroom

7 July 2026, Nay Pyi Taw

The Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army Peace Council (KNU/KNLA-PC) has said it is proud that its peace agreement with the military regime remains intact.

KNU/KNLA-PC Vice Chairperson Naw Kapaw Htoo made the remark during a meeting between the regime's National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) and the KNU/KNLA-PC in Nay Pyi Taw on July 6.

“I am glad for the invitation to continue walking the path of peace, and I am very proud to have this opportunity today while peace has not yet been broken,” Naw Kapaw Htoo said.

She added that if peace efforts are carried out with sincerity and honesty, they can succeed, and all sides must continue working together.

At the meeting, NSPNC Chairman Lt-Gen Yar Pyae said the KNU/KNLA-PC has continuously cooperated with the regime and expressed a desire to work together on regional stability, transportation and commodity flows.

The KNU/KNLA-PC split from the Karen National Union (KNU) in 2007 and signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in 2015. It has continued holding meetings and discussions with the regime.

“I see it as a fox and a vulture conspiring together. The regime is gaining political benefits, while the KNU/KNLA-PC is turning its back on the interests of Karen people and only acting to please the regime,” a young Karen man from Hlaingbwe Township, Kayin State, said.

Although the KNU/KNLA-PC controls some border routes of military and commercial importance in Kayin State, Karen civil society organizations say it has only about 200 troops and limited support among the Karen population.

Political analysts have said the regime and self-appointed President Min Aung Hlaing are using NCA signatory groups, including the KNU/KNLA-PC, to create a false image of peace in an attempt to gain international recognition amid its political crisis.

“Although the regime has been able to retake some townships, it cannot be said that its military momentum has declined. At the same time, it came to power through a coup. Therefore, to show the international community and create a military and political exit, it is holding these show meetings with small armed groups,” a political observer said.

The NSPNC delegation led by Lt-Gen Yar Pyae also met with the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP), the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), the United Wa State Army (UWSA), and the New Mon State Party (NMSP) in June.

The regime, which has lost control of more than 100 townships to revolutionary forces, has continued efforts to meet with ethnic armed organizations while attempting to regain control of some areas.

Min Aung Hlaing has invited revolutionary forces to hold peace talks within a 100-day period, but his forces continue airstrikes against areas controlled by resistance groups while applying pressure and threats.

However, the regime has only held meetings with ceasefire groups and has not engaged in talks with groups currently fighting against it, including the Arakan Army, Kachin Independence Army, Karen National Union, Chin National Front, National Unity Government and the People's Defence Force.