There are prospects of the two factions of the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) to be reunited, according to a Christian pastor who attended negotiations held on September 9.

The negotiations - between the KIO led by Lamung Tujai and the faction led by Colonel Lasang Awng Wa have been progressive said Pastor N Hkun Dwela who attended the meeting held on the Sino-Burma border.

He said, “General N’ Ban La will resign from being the supreme military commander of Tujai’s faction” due to his ill health.

According to a local resident, officials of the two factions will jointly call a mass meeting today and will explain their stand to the people.

The two factions held a negotiation meeting on September 25 at the New Democratic Army - Kachin controlled Pang Wa area. The NDA-K in the past has tried to facilitate negotiations but on this occasion progress was made.

Col. Lasang Awng Wa the head of Security and Defense Department of the KIO fled to China after accusations that he tried to stage a coup. His colleagues Pastor Dwela, KIO Vice-President Brig-Gen Hpuayam Tsam Yan and Lt-Col Padip Gam Awng were detained at headquarter of KIO in Laiza for six months.

Observers believe that the two factions had different views on attending the military government sponsored National Convention.

The KIO and the SPDC signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994.