Peace may prove elusive as divisions sap strength of karen national union
Rifts between the KNU's central committee and different brigades threaten a north-south divide and the scuttling of negotiations with the government to put an end to six decades of strife
- Published: 14 Oct 2012 at 00.00
- Newspaper section: Spectrum
After crossing the Thai border into northern Karen State on a wooden ferry traversing the muddy Salween River, we reach the base of the Karen National Liberation Army.
TENUOUS TRUCE: KNLA troops rest at a front-line base in northern Karen State. The KNLA is continuing training and recruitment despite having signed a ceasefire agreement with the Myanmar government in January.
While resting at a small bamboo hut, the sound of gunfire echoes from a nearby military training camp filled with rebel soldiers. This is despite a ceasefire having been signed between the Karen National Union (KNU), the political wing of the KNLA, and the Myanmar government in January.
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