Deputy Chairman of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), Vice General Gun Maw, has announced that negotiations have begun regarding territorial disputes between the KIO and the Palaung State Liberation Front/Ta’ang National Liberation Army (PSLF/TNLA) in northern Shan State. The announcement marks a significant step toward addressing the growing tensions between the two ethnic armed organizations.
On April 9, Vice General Gun Maw issued an appeal through social media, calling for constructive support from local communities, media outlets, and potential advisors. He confirmed that preliminary discussions for talks between the two groups have commenced. The announcement emphasized the importance of positive engagement from all stakeholders in the region to facilitate successful negotiations.
The territorial disputes have been escalating in various townships of northern Shan State, including Kutkai, Namtu, Namkham, and Momeik, where confrontations between KIO/KIA and PSLF/TNLA ground forces have intensified to the point of physical altercations. These developments have necessitated direct dialogue between leadership to address the situation. The negotiations represent a crucial step toward ensuring the security and stability of local communities in the affected regions, with both organizations acknowledging the need for peaceful resolution of their territorial differences.
