“The BRN is categorically not involved [in the current peace dialogue],” one of the men, who identified himself only as “Yusuf”, told Davis.
The current dialogue is taking place between a Thai government delegation led by retired general Aksara Kerdphol and an umbrella group of rebel organizations called Mara Patani, with the Malaysian government acting as a facilitator.
Mara Patani is composed of several factions — mostly former rebel groups based overseas and not actively involved in the current insurgency — but Malaysia has insisted that BRN is also part of the umbrella group.
This was denied by BRN representatives, with one telling Davis “the way this process has been set up is flatly rejected by the BRN.”
But other experts give a somewhat more complex view of BRN membership and the stance of various groups within the BRN towards the talks.