• Burmese
Saturday, July 19, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
29 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Burma

Analysis: KIO Kicks Off New Year with New Leadership

Joe Kumbun by Joe Kumbun
January 2, 2018
in Burma
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
A A
Kachin Independence Army soldiers at Phare camp for Internally Displaced Persons in Kachin State in 2016. / The Irrawaddy

Kachin Independence Army soldiers at Phare camp for Internally Displaced Persons in Kachin State in 2016. / The Irrawaddy

9.6k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) has marked the new year with its first major leadership reshuffle since 2016.

As a member of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC), the KIO is one of the ethnic armed organizations that have yet to sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).

General N’Ban La has been appointed chairman of the KIO, replacing Lanyaw Zawng Hra, who is retiring after more than a decade in charge to make way for a younger generation of leaders. Lanyaw Zawng Hra replaced General Lamung Tu Jai as KIO chairman when he died in 2006.

RelatedPosts

Political assassinations and Myanmar’s fate

Political assassinations and Myanmar’s fate

July 18, 2025
118
Indian Top Brass Visit Myanmar After Cross-Border Drone Attack

Indian Top Brass Visit Myanmar After Cross-Border Drone Attack

July 18, 2025
443
Myanmar Junta’s Power Transfer Looms, but Real Control to Remain With Regime Boss

Myanmar Junta’s Power Transfer Looms, but Real Control to Remain With Regime Boss

July 17, 2025
1.4k

New leaders were appointed to five senior positions: KIO chairman, vice chairman 1 and 2, and deputy chairman 1 and 2 of the Kachin Independence Council (KIC).

Gen N’Ban La’s appointment was largely expected, as the organization’s vice chairman traditionally replaces the outgoing chairman.

His path to the top spot was cleared by the 2015 ouster of then-Vice Chairman Lieutenant General Gauri Zau Seng, ostensibly due to his age. Gen N’Ban La filled the vice chairman position the following year, presumably with an eye toward ascending to helm the KIO.

The appointment solidifies Gen N’Ban La’s grip on power within the overall organization, as he is now chairman of both the KIO and KIC, as well as commander-in-chief of the KIO’s armed wing, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).

Gen N’Ban La is known for his ability to dispose of potential rivals within the KIO. The first occasion was in 2001, when he orchestrated the ouster of the then chairman, Lieutenant General Mali Zup Zau Mai, paving the way for Gen Lamung Tu Jai’s appointment. A second crackdown occurred on Jan. 7, 2004, at Pajau, the old KIO/A headquarters on the Chinese border. General N’Ban La, who was then KIA chief of staff, purged a handful of senior officers who had attempted a coup against him with the aim of replacing him with then intelligence chief, Colonel Lasang Aung Wah. Since that time, Gen N’Ban La has enjoyed been hailed by his subordinates as the savior and protector of the KIO/A.

Many Kachin observers now believe that having consolidated his leadership, Gen N’Ban La will lead the organization with a new, more military-oriented policy.

As part of the reshuffle, KIA chief of staff Lieutenant-General Gam Shawng, a former deputy chair 1 of the KIC, was promoted to vice chairman 1 of the KIO. Sumlut Gam, a former KIO chief negotiator, becomes vice chairman 2. Major General Gun Maw, formerly deputy chair 2 of the KIC, was promoted to deputy chair 1. Brigadier General Zong Buk Htan becomes deputy chair 2.

The shakeup was apparently implemented to create a new political landscape within the KIO and beyond.

What’s in Store for 2018?

According to a statement released by the KIO on Dec. 30, the group plans to consult the Kachin public and seek its input on a new set of policies.

After pulling out of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), the KIO allied itself with another set of ethnic armed groups in the FPNCC. Gen N’Ban La holds the position of deputy chair in the bloc. The FPNCC is an alliance comprising the United Wa State Party (UWSP), Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army-North (SSPP/SSA-N), Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Kokang Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and Arakan Army (AA).

The KIO will continue to support the FPNCC’s policy regarding Myanmar’s peace process. The bloc has said that if invited it would attend the third session of the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference initiated by State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, scheduled to be held later this month, possibly next month. However, fighting between the Tatmadaw (Myanmar’s military) and the KIA has escalated of late, with no end in sight. Most recently, the Tatmadaw has staged attacks on several KIA battalions and outposts with ground forces, artillery and airstrikes, particularly in the amber-rich Tanai area in western Kachin State.

In fact, 2017, which the National League for Democracy-led government had promised would be a year of peace, turned out to be a year of suffering for many, with the government failing to address the Rakhine crisis and seemingly endless civil conflicts.

Once, while being interviewed by journalists after participating in the opening ceremony of the  second session of the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference and privately meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Naypyidaw, Gen N’Ban La claimed that “We [the KIO] never do an unsuccessful thing.”

In 2018, we will have to wait and see whether he can lead the KIO to negotiate with the military and the government to bring peace to Kachin State.

Joe Kumbun is the pseudonym of a Kachin State-based analyst.  

Your Thoughts …
Tags: Ethnic IssuesMilitaryPolitics
Joe Kumbun

Joe Kumbun

Joe Kumbun is the pseudonym of an independent political analyst.

Similar Picks:

AA Urges Myanmar Junta Troops to Surrender as Western Command Burns
War Against the Junta

AA Urges Myanmar Junta Troops to Surrender as Western Command Burns

by The Irrawaddy
December 18, 2024
25.4k

Ethnic army reportedly poised to capture regime’s last stronghold in Rakhine State.

Read moreDetails
Myanmar General in Charge of Shan State Disaster Handed Surprise Promotion
Burma

Myanmar General in Charge of Shan State Disaster Handed Surprise Promotion

by The Irrawaddy
February 5, 2024
24.5k

Naing Naing Oo elevated to Lieutenant-General and made chief of powerful Bureau of Special Operations No. 2, in a reshuffle...

Read moreDetails
Myanmar’s Chief of Eastern Command Purged After Karenni Defeats
Burma

Myanmar’s Chief of Eastern Command Purged After Karenni Defeats

by The Irrawaddy
January 12, 2024
20.1k

Major-General Hla Moe is reportedly the latest junta commander to pay the price for sweeping gains made by resistance forces. 

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta Counteroffensives Failing Across Country: Analysts
Analysis

Myanmar Junta Counteroffensives Failing Across Country: Analysts

by Hein Htoo Zan
September 20, 2024
16.8k

Three major operations to retake territory from ethnic armies and their allies are being hampered by troop shortages, experts say.

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta Orders All Security Personnel to Frontline as Losses Mount in Hard-Hit Regional Commands
Burma

Myanmar Junta Orders All Security Personnel to Frontline as Losses Mount in Hard-Hit Regional Commands

by The Irrawaddy
May 31, 2024
13.5k

Full-time military service order covers soldiers, personnel, police and border guards in eight regional commands.

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta Begins Forced Conscription of Women in Some Areas, Residents Say
Burma

Myanmar Junta Begins Forced Conscription of Women in Some Areas, Residents Say

by Hein Htoo Zan
May 31, 2024
13.5k

The regime is selecting women from lists of eligible conscripts and building barracks for them in Ayeyarwady; in Bago, women...

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Protesters gather in Loikaw, Kayah State, on Dec. 22 to condemn the military’s alleged execution of four people, including three KNPP soldiers, two weeks ago. / Kantarawaddy Times

Five Sued for Protest Against Alleged Military Executions

A public event is held in front of City Hall, the headquarters of the Yangon City Development Committee, in downtown Yangon. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy

Architects, Experts Slam Draft Law for Yangon City Development

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Myanmar Junta’s Recapture of Nawnghkio Shows Strategic Missteps by TNLA

Myanmar Junta’s Recapture of Nawnghkio Shows Strategic Missteps by TNLA

2 days ago
1.4k
Chinese Investment Reshapes Myanmar’s N. Shan as MNDAA Consolidates Power

Chinese Investment Reshapes Myanmar’s N. Shan as MNDAA Consolidates Power

1 week ago
3.5k

Most Read

  • Myanmar Junta Airstrikes Protecting Irrawaddy Flotilla Kill 20

    Myanmar Junta Airstrikes Protecting Irrawaddy Flotilla Kill 20

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta’s Power Transfer Looms, but Real Control to Remain With Regime Boss

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta’s Recapture of Nawnghkio Shows Strategic Missteps by TNLA

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • More Than 20,000 Displaced As Myanmar Junta Burns Homes Around World Heritage Site

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Indian Top Brass Visit Myanmar After Cross-Border Drone Attack

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.