An interview with a Mon youth who is active in Mon the political community about the New Mon State Party’s announcement that it is not yet the right time to open a military front in Mon State
In most parts of Mon State, the Karen National Union (KNU), People’s Defense Forces (PDFs), Mon Liberation Army (MLA), and the New Mon State Party (Anti-dictatorship) are engaged in battles to seize territories and outposts. Although this reflects the current situation, the NMSP has stated that it is not yet time to wage armed revolution in Mon State.
This comes after the clashes in the Gyaing River area in late March, the burning of Dhamma Tha village, and the New Mon State Party’s Central Executive Committee issuing a statement in the Mon language on 10 April saying it is not yet time to open a military front in Mon State.
The statement noted the plight of civilians having to flee their homes and the massive losses being incurred.
The Independent Mon News Agency (IMNA) conducted this interview with a Mon youth who is active in the Mon political community to find out more about how the people of Mon State and the youth view this statement by the New Mon State Party.
Q: As a Mon youth, what do you think of the statement that it is not yet time to open a military front in Mon State?
A: In my opinion, this is not acceptable. What I mean is that it is already time to open a military front. I felt bad when I saw this statement.
Another aspect is that other ethnic armed groups like the Karen, Kachin, AA and other resistance forces from different regions are now stepping up their military offensives. They have successes and losses, as battles entail.
For us Mon too, it is time to start. If we don’t act while others act, by the time they pause, their (junta’s) forces could come down on us. After that statement, I understand views have changed. At a time when the military momentum is getting stronger, I fear that issuing a statement like this will weaken the morale of the Mon State Revolutionary Front (MSRF), the (Dawna Army) and others and the strength of Mon forces among the youth and the people.
Q: Another point raised in this statement was urging the allied resistance forces to pay special attention to the losses suffered by civilians. What is your opinion on this?
A: When war breaks out, there will inevitably be losses. To gain something, you have to sacrifice something else. To make progress, you have to be willing to suffer losses. Speaking of war, the losses suffered by those who have opened military fronts in the north far exceed what we’ve experienced so far, which is just a village or two affected. Despite these losses we’ve suffered, we must fight to succeed, we must win. These losses are a challenge to the Mon resistance forces and youths.
The reason is, we only truly feel the pain when we have lost something of our own, our possessions. Only when we feel this pain do we gain strength. But if you’re unwilling to accept any losses, you can’t hope to gain anything. You can’t count on the strength of the youth or the people. At this time when others are opening military fronts, we too should open one.
Q: So would you say that the current time is the best opportunity for the resistance forces in Mon State to carry out military operations?
A: As a youth, I do see this as a good opportunity. As I said before, it’s not that we’re opening a front only because others are doing so. Nor is it that we have no choice but to follow others’ lead. But, if we don’t open a front while junta forces are overwhelmed by their offensives, their forces could come down on us. If we open a front when their forces are weakened and they’re raising the white flag, there may be losses on our side, but I think we’ll make more gains. This is the best time.
Q: How are Mon youths contributing to the armed revolution in Mon State?
A: In this area in Ye, the MSRF, MSDF and others have already opened fronts. Since the NMSP-AD has also opened a front on other side, there is increasing cooperation. More and more young people are turning to the NMSP-AD, although some may have joined other resistance groups. Because of the military council’s conscription law, most youth tend to join the armed revolutionary forces in one way or another. And the people are supporting these forces in the form of manpower, supplies and funds by whatever means they can.
Q: As a Mon person, what hopes do you have for the escalation of revolutionary battles?
A: My hope is for the revolution to succeed. It’s mainly about the 7 points outlined by the AD – reflecting the aspirations of the Mon people and youth to gain self-determination and autonomy over our territories. I hope that these revolutions will be successful and I hope that our ethnic nationality will secure our rights.
Q: What else would you like to say about the NMSP’s statement?
A: What I’d like to say is that this is the struggle of today’s youth generation. Those who were born between 2000-2006 have lost so many rights. For them, there are virtually no rights left. The COVID hit when they were in school, then the military coup and this war – so they were stripped of all their rights and freedoms. That’s why this has become their struggle. They’ve lost everything. They no longer have any joy and can no longer move freely. So for this fight, it’s not just about physically taking up arms in revolution – they’re contributing in different areas, whether logistical support, transportation or other means. But I don’t want their morale to get weakened too much because of this statement.
Sent by IMNA