By MAW OO MYAR / KANTARAWADDY TIMES
The Karenni State government and the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) have postponed their monthly meeting due to the current coronavirus outbreak.
“Both sides agreed to postpone it because of the pandemic,” Khu Hpoe Reh, the deputy in charge of the KNPP’s Loikaw liaison office, told Kantarawaddy Times. “I don’t exactly know when we are going to meet again. It depends on situation of this COVID-19 pandemic.”
The monthly meetings had only just resumed on March 4, and regional development was the topic of discussion.
Mer Tier, who monitors the peace process as it relates to Karenni State, said that the regular meetings would help build trust and provide updates of the situation on the ground.
“Having a monthly meeting will be a catalyst to assist the peace process as well as strengthen mutual trust building,” Mer Tier said. “Both the government and the KNPP must continue to hold this monthly meeting… This is a positive mechanism for the stability of Karenni State, moving the peace process forward, and fostering mutual respect.”
All meetings are on pause until the virus is under control. The government has canceled workshops and festivals as well.
The KNPP released a statement on March 17 recommending that locals refrain from traveling to the border between Thailand and Karenni states for non-urgent matters.