UNFC to form Union Army at last

SATURDAY, 03 DECEMBER 2011 13:07 S.H.A.N.

The long awaited Federal Union Army (FUA) will be formed in mid-December, according to border security sources.

The decision was passed at the most recent meeting held on the Chiangmai-Shan State border, 27-30 November.

Maj Gen Bee Htoo, Commander-in-Chief of the Karenni Army, was nominated as the new commander to succeed Gen Mutu Saypoe, who had resigned due to his heavy workload at his Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the armed wing of the Karen National Union (KNU), said one of the sources yesterday. For unexplained reasons, the alliance was unable to implement the initial resolution to form the FUA taken in February, following its founding by 12 member groups.

“This time, it is for real,” declared Hkun Okker, Chairman of the PaO National Liberation Organization (PNLO), who was elected as Assistant Secretary General #2 during the meeting.

The grouping was made up of 12 ethnic resistance groups, including Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), KNU, Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), New Mon State Party (NMSP), Shan State Progress Party (SSPP), Chin National Front (CNF), Arakan National Council (ANC), PNLO, Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF) and Wa National Organization (WNO).

Another member group Kachin National Organization (KNO) led by Bawmwang Laraw has merged with the KIO, it was announced at the meeting.

Other resolutions passed at the meeting include:

Election of KNU’s David Tharckabaw as Vice Chairman #2

To demand Naypyitaw for cessation of hostilities in Kachin and Shan states

The Shan State Army (SSA) ‘South’ that had signed a ceasefire pact with Naypyitaw yesterday is not a member of the UNFC.


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OKA