Ongoing clashes threaten Kachin peace talks

Fighting concentrated in northern Kachin and Shan states is threatening to uproot a short lived peace in the region. After a seven-point agreement was signed at the end of May’s peace talks between the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and the government, fighting slowed down. But in the government-controlled Chipwi Township in northeastern Kachin state clashes have increased since about mid-August. They have also taken place in the KIA 4th brigade area in northern Shan state. The current conflict in both areas could have a negative effect for future peace talks, remarked a KIO official.

UN special adviser visits Laiza

Vijaw Nambiar, the UN special envoy on Burma.

Vijay Nambiar, the United Nations (UN) special adviser to the Secretary-General on Burma, arrived in Laiza today.  The landmark visit was the first time that Nambiar visited the capital of Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) located in Burma’s most northern Kachin state.

Burma's Kachin conflict turning into a war between militias

Pro-government militia in Pangwa, the headquarters of dissolved NDA-K.

The conflict between the Burma government and the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) has transformed into battles between their respective militias. These recent changes became evident soon after the inking of a seven-point agreement in late May. The agreement during the last peace talks between the Union Level Peace Making Committee and KIO leaders in Myitkyina, which led to the formation of a Kachin technical team to oversee these measures, was supposed to reduce the military maneuvers of both sides. But clashes have been ongoing since the signing. This is leading analysts to speculate if the fighting has slowed down at all or if the conflict is simply going underground.

Ex-KIO vice chairman forms political party

Dr. Tu Ja

Dr. Tu Ja, the retired vice chairman of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), formed a new party to contest 2015 elections. The Kachin State Democracy Party (KSDP) will be registered with the election commission in the Kachin state capital of Myitkyina before the end of this week, said Tu Ja.

No peace in Kachin state as clashes continue

A border guard force soldier (left) and a Burmese soldier secure Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin state. Photo: Kachin News Group

A seven point agreement aimed at reducing military tensions seems to have been forgotten by the government. Burma military continue to attack Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) bases. The agreement that was signed during the end of May peace talks fell short of a ceasefire, but was supposed to help end the fighting. A mechanism was agreed by both sides to put in place to ensure it.

Burmese BGF soldiers killed in clash with KIO

At least two soldiers of the Burmese government-backed Kachin Border Guard Force (BGF) were killed during a two hour clash with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in the northern part of the state over the weekend.

UN rapporteur blocked from visiting KIO stronghold

The KIO's headquarters Laiza, Kachin state.

The United Nations Special Human Rights Rapporteur Tomas Quintana wasn’t allowed to visit Laiza as he had originally planned. Quintana made it to the Kachin state capital of Myitkyina, but was blocked from visiting the Kachin Independence Organization’s (KIO) headquarters after not getting permission from authorities on Wednesday. At the time of press the government hasn’t explained the reasons for restricting his visit to the capital.

20 Kachin political prisoners remain in Myitkyina prison

No. 1 police station in Myitkyina.

More than 20 Kachin civilians jailed for their alleged ties to the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) remain behind bars, according to lawyers in Myitkyina, the Kachin state capital. Most of those jailed were charged for violating Article 17/1 of the Unlawful Associations Act. On July 23, thirteen such detainees were released including IDP Lahtaw Brang Shawng as part of a presidential amnesty.