Khit / Myo Gyi (NP News) – May 29 

Colonel Saw Kyaw Nyunt, spokesperson of Peace Process Steering Team (PPST), told NP News that the PPST plans to request the former chairman of the Karen National Union (KNU) to assist as a leading patron of the organization. 

The Saw Mutu Say Poe was once offered to be the leading patron of the PPST in 2022. 

 “It’s right, we requested to Saw Mutu Say Poe for assisting the PPST as the leading role. But Saw Mutu Say Poe replied he wasn’t ready for that position as he was taking the chairman’s duty of the KNU at that time,” Colonel Saw Kyaw Nyunt said. 

At present, Saw Mutu Say Poe is expected to be offered as the leading patron of the PPST since he has now retired from the KNU. 

 “Now, the KNU election has been over. Saw Mutu Say Poe also retired from the organization. So, we are considering him for the leading patron of the PPST,” he added. 

 Saw Mutu Say Poe served as a chair of the PPST in 2015. He was the first chair of the PPST. During his leadership, the PPST could formulate the peace process as per the NCA frameworks to a reasonable extent. 

PPST is organized by the NCA signatory EAOs including the KNU, RCSS, PNLO, DKBA, LDU, ALP, NMSP, KNU/KNLA-PC, ABSDF and CNF. However, there are only six EAOs that has fully participated in the PPST.