Chin resistance group dismisses chairman over unauthorised talks with Myanmar junta

The Chin National Organisation (CNO) has reaffirmed that it would not participate in political negotiations with the regime without the consent of allies. The organisation announced that it had dismissed its chairman, Lau Hauk Kiam, for holding talks with the military junta without the organisation's approval. The CNO stated that Lau Hauk Kiam met with Soe Cho, a member of the State Administration Council (SAC), the military regime's governing body, in Naypyidaw on December 27, 2023. This meeting was not approved by other CNO leaders or by the Chinland Council (CNC), an ally of the CNO, the organisation said in a statement. "U Lau Hauk Kiam's actions are contrary to the CNO's official policy and damage the organisation's reputation," the statement added. The CNO said that Lau Hauk Kiam's dismissal was in accordance with the organisation's bylaws and was a punishment for his misconduct. The CNO stressed that the organisation maintains solidarity with all forces seeking democracy in Myanmar and that any negotiations with the military regime should be based on the unified agreement of all democratic forces.