The government and the Myanmar military are set to hold talks with the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) and the Karen National Union (KNU), later this month, according to an article in the Myanmar Times. U Zaw Htay, the government spokesman, said that two meetings will take place, one before the Thingyan New Year Holiday. The second one after April 16. The KNU has signed the government’s Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). However, it was announced that they are temporarily withdrawing from the peace process late last year. Frustration has surfaced due to a lack of progress regarding the peace talks. The KIO’s armed wing, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), remains in conflict with the Myanmar Army. Fighting has halted in recent months due to a temporary ceasefire.