The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) has officially announced a 20-day ceasefire in response to the terrorist military council’s temporary truce declaration on the evening of April 2. In their statement, KIO acknowledged that the military council’s temporary ceasefire announcement made on April 2 was intended to facilitate relief and rescue operations following the earthquake that struck on March 28. The organization expressed their understanding of the humanitarian nature of this temporary cessation of hostilities.
As a result, KIO declared that they would suspend offensive operations from April 2 to April 22, except for defensive actions. The military council’s ceasefire announcement, particularly Article 4, warns ethnic armed organizations and other armed groups against attacking their military camps, harassing their headquarters, recruiting forces, making preparations, organizing troops, or expanding territory during the temporary ceasefire period. The military council threatened to respond if any such actions were taken during this period.
In their response, KIO emphasized that Article 4’s provisions must be equally binding on the military council itself, requiring consistent compliance from all parties involved in the conflict. KIO’s Vice Chairman, Deputy General Gun Maw, specifically highlighted that Article 4 must be observed by all combatants, including the terrorist military council, and noted that the reconstruction efforts necessitated by earthquake damage would require a long-term commitment to recovery and rebuilding processes.
