Japanese special delegation meets with ethnic armed organisation leaders in Chiang Mai

11 March 2022
Japanese special delegation meets with ethnic armed organisation leaders in Chiang Mai
Photo: CJ

A delegation, led by Mr. Sasakawa the Japanese special envoy to Myanmar and the Nippon Foundation’s chairperson, met with ethnic armed organization (EAO) leaders in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on 10 March.

Top leaders of the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS/SSA), the Karen National Union (KNU/KNLA), and the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP/KA) met individually with the delegation.

General Mutu Say Phoe who led the KNU delegation said they talked about Karen State’s Lay Kay Kaw township and the KNU spokesperson Padoh Saw Do Nee said: “The discussion was about what to do in the future regarding Lay Kay Kaw which is now in ruins.”

The Nippon Foundation helped finance the building of Lay Kay Kaw Township and wants to help shelter IDPs.

In the evening Mr. Sasakawa also met with the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST), formed by the ethnic armed groups who have signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement. (NCA).

Before the meeting the PPST representative General Hkun Okker said: “We will discuss protecting civilians and providing humanitarian aid.”

Mizzima could not confirm if the Military Council representatives who came with Mr. Sasakawa would be involved in the talks.

Before he came to Chiang Mai Mr. Sasakawa had talks with the junta leader Min Aung Hlaing over Zoom on 5 March.

It is not known if the shared any details of that meeting with the EAO leaders.

EAO representatives told Mizzima that they did not discuss politics, but instead mainly talked about humanitarian aid and social wellbeing in the 10 march meetings.

There has been fierce fighting by both the KNPP and KNU against junta forces.