Ceasefire ends as fighting resumes in Kokang
The Kachin Post / August 28, 2009

Over twenty years long ceasefire agreement with ethnic ceasefire groups and Burma Army has breached as fighters from Kokang group, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), attacked a border post controlled by Burma Army on Thursday, according to sources closed ceasefire groups.

Kokang troops has re-occupied the border post on China-Burma border nearby their headquartered Laogai, reportedly killed some Burmese soldiers. Burma army has beefed up its troops into thousands in Laogai since tension has risen between the two groups in earl of August. Thousands of Kokang refugees have fled into China.

Burma army reportedly raided Kokang headquartered Laogai on Monday after Bai Souqian, the former deputy of the Kokang group, has defected to Burma army along with some 100 troops. Burma army appointed Bai Souqian as a new Kokang group leader.

However, Kokang supreme leader Peng Jiashen said Bai Souqian leadership role is invalid, according to his statement. Peng urged all Burma troops to withdrawal from the Kokang region and start negotiated peacefully. Troops loyal to Peng Jiashen controlled majority of military posts in Kokang region, except the laogai.

Tension rose between the two groups after Burma army raided Kokang supreme leader Peng Jiashen resident on August 8, to search ostensible for illegal drugs and arms. Burmese military authority has also issued an arrest order for Peng Jiashen and his younger brother Peng Jiaphu, accusing them of link to illegal drugs trafficking.

Meanwhile, other ceasefire groups such as United Wa State Army (UWSA) and Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) are closely watching the Kokang situation and prepare to act for further clash.

Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army is the one of the ethnic ceasefire group which rejected the Burma army proposal of Border Guard Force plan. MNDAA made military alliance with United Wa State Army, Kachin Independence Organization and National Democratic Alliance Army-Eastern Shan State.

The combine troop of military alliance is estimated over 50,000. The groups amongst the military alliance stationed along the China-Burma border and they all rejected the Border Guard Force plan.

Kokang army led by Peng Jiashen is the first group which mutinied against the Communist Party of Burma in twenty years ago, having dissolved the strongest rebel groups in Burma history.

Burmese junta is striving to get rid of all ethnic arms groups by introducing Border Guard Force plan ahead of the election planned in 2010.