FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM
Saw Chit Thu, the general secretary of the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF), reaffirmed his commitment to split from the military during a meeting with regime deputy leader Soe Win in the Karen State capital, Hpa-An, on Jan. 23.
Saw Chit Thu claimed that he does not want his 13 battalions to fight against other Karen armed groups and intends to stop receiving support from the regime in Naypyidaw. “Firstly, we no longer wish to engage in conflict with other Karen. Secondly, we want to discontinue receiving food and financial aid,” he said.
The Karen BGF operates under the military’s command along the Thai-Myanmar border. It was founded in 2010 after the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) and agreed to come under military command and control. The BGF has supported the military in fighting against the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) since the 2021 military coup.
No decisions have been finalized between the BGF leader and the regime. Saw Chit Thu announced his decision to cease cooperation with the military on Jan. 13. Soe Win personally took over negotiations following an unsuccessful meeting with regime Information Minister Maung Maung Ohn on Jan. 19.
