Following a union-level ceasefire agreement, the Karenni National Progressive Party opened its first liaison office in the Karenni state capital of Loikaw yesterday.
The KNPP and government Peace Making Committee signed a multi-pronged deal on 9 June that allows for the opening of liaison offices in several Karenni state towns to increase communication between the group and the government.
The KNPP’s coordinator at the newly opened office in Loikaw’s Aw-U-Khu ward Khu Daniel said the group aims to cooperate with Burmese authorities to maintain the ceasefire and promote the on-going peace process.
“We will continue our work based on the 20 points discussed [with the government] – we have many future plans; regarding the military issues and social development,” said Khu Daniel.
“Now we can officially communicate with the government and it will allow the people to voice their concerns.”
The group’s Central Committee members, Kareeni state’s government Chief Minister Khin Maung Oo and government officials attended the ceremony to mark the opening of the offices.
Khu Daniel said the group plans to open liaison offices in Karenni state’s Shadaw and Hpasawng townships.
While the government has signed a raft of agreements with several of the countries armed groups, the ceasefires haven’t been able to guarantee an end to violence. Similar deals have failed to stop government troops from engaging with rebel armies in northern and southern Shan state as fighting continues in the country’s far north after a 17-year ceasefire agreement with the Kachin Independence Army collapsed in June 2011.