SUMMARY

The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) is a political organization founded in February 1961 with the aim of bringing independence to the multi-ethnic Christian and Buddhist Kachin people of northern Burma (now known as Myanmar). Its armed wing is known at the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). Its most well-known leader was Brang Sen, who served as chairman from 1975 until his death in 1994. The KIO is currently led by Lanyaw Zawng Hra.

The KIO was formed in response to the policies of the civilian government led by U Nu (1948-1962), which sought to hand over parts of Kachin state to China and establish Buddhism as a state religion. One of the more effective of Myanmar’s various rebel forces, in the early 1990s, the KIO had an army of some 6 000 troops and controlled some 40 000 square kilometres of ‘liberated territory’ in Kachin and Shan states. By 2017, its troop strength was estimated at approximately 10 000.

While generally preferring to operate independently, the KIO has collaborated sporadically with other rebel groups, including the CPB, the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP), the Arakan Independence Organization (AIO), the Palaung State Liberation Organization (PSLO) and the Chin Independence Army. It has also received some limited assistance from India. The KIO was a member of the National Democratic Front (NDF) and Democratic Alliance of Burma (DAB) coalitions of rebel groups.

Deciding to shift from a military towards a political approach, the KIO signed a bilateral cease-fire agreement with the military government in 1994. The agreement committed the parties to peace and economic development, and provided for the establishment of liaison offices. Since then it has operated effectively as a local government in areas previously under its de facto control. It has a government-like bureaucracy and funds and operates hospitals, schools and infrastructure projects.

In the lead-up to the 2010 elections (the first to be held in 20 years), the 1994 ceasefire broke down after the government insisted that ethnic group forces be incorporated into the national army prior to holding political discussions. The government subsequently declared its ceasefire with the KIO ‘null and void’ and in June 2011 conflict between the KIO and government forces resumed. On 30 May 2013, the KIO signed an agreement committing to “efforts to achieve de-escalation and cessation of hostilities”. Despite the agreement (which did not explicitly use the word ‘ceasefire’ due to KIO sensitivities), fighting between the government and the KIO continued into 2016.