Whether the KNU and CNF are being declared as terrorist organizations or not depends on their actions: SAC spokesman

Published 23 August 2023

EMG

Whether the government declared the KNU and CNF as terrorist organizations or not is depended on their actions, regarding the Karen National Union (KNU) and the Chin National Front (CNF), which are signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), said SAC spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun.

At the 22nd press conference of the State Administration Council (SAC) press conference held in Nay Pyi Taw on the afternoon of August 22, Major General Zaw Min Tun responded to a reporter's question whether the four armed groups such as the KNU, KIA, KNPP and CNF will be declared as terrorist organizations or not as they are destroying the country's machinery by cooperating with the National Unity Government (NUG).

"Declaration as a terrorist organization or not will depend on their actions. As for the government, we are always inviting people to follow the path of NCA. However, we will only be there to a certain extent. I would like to say that a lot will depend on their actions," Major General Zaw Min Tun said.

Currently, the ethnic armed organizations that are fighting with the Tatmadaw are the KNU, KIA, KNPP and CNF and of the four EAOs, the KNU and CNF have signed the NCA, while the other two have not.

There are various differences regarding peace within the KNU, and the government is also conducting dialogue activities with some individuals from the KNU, he said.

"There are different views in the KNU. Some of them are discussing with the government. There are businesses that are being discussed. There are some who are actually doing things against what they are talking about. In the KNU area, separate groups that are not related to the KNU are also emerging. Then there is foreign intervention. There are also groups called Free Burma Rangers. We saw some foreign interventions. As we have just said, there are also groups supporting the NUG and PDF terrorist groups," said the SAC spokesman.

Currently, the SAC is holding peace talks with seven ethnic armed groups that have signed the NCA and three ethnic armed groups that have not signed the NCA.