All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF) |
| Founded – 1 November 1988 Headquarters – Within the KNU-controlled territories Active Territories – Within the KIA and KNU-controlled territories Size – Over 1,500 Chair – Comrade Than Khae Vice Chair – Comrade La Hsaing General Secretary – Comrade Sonny The ABSDF signed the NCA on 15 October 2015 and participated in the peace process. However, the direction of the ABSDF following the 2021 military coup on 1 February 2021 changed. It has since established connections with the NUG and other EROs. In the 12th conference of the ABSDF, held from 1 to 17 November 2023, it was firmly decided that the ABSDF’s main approach to armed conflict would be through direct combat, supplemented by other methods of warfare. At the conference, the ABSDF set its political goals as ending the military’s involvement in politics by reversing the coup, reorganizing the military and placing it fully under an elected civilian government, drafting and enacting a new constitution based on a federal and democratic system acceptable to all stakeholders, and developing a process to bring truth and transitional justice for victims of the conflict. In its statement following the conference, the ABSDF declared that it would refrain from engaging in any negotiations with the military as long as the council continued to perpetrate violence against civilians. The ABSDF wants the system changed. Even a change from a military dictatorship to a civilian dictatorship is unacceptable. 1 In order to totally eradicate all forms of dictatorship, efforts will be made to step up the implementation of political, military, diplomatic and alliance affairs and to conduct joint military operations in collaboration with the armed resistance forces. On 27 December 2023, the ABSDF also participated in the battle to take over Natthankwin town in Kyaukkyi Township in Bago Region, in cooperation with KNU/KNLA and local PDFs. On 21 January 2024, the ABSDF also participated in the battle to capture Mabein in northern Shan State, together with the KIA and the KPDF. According to BNI-MPM records, the ABSDF has been engaging in the fight against the military in cooperation with local revolutionary forces in Mongmit in northern Shan State, Gangaw Township in Magway Region, Indaw and Katha Townships in Sagaing Region, Ye Township in Mon State and Yebyu Township in Tanintharyi Region. Clashes with the military Between January 2020 and June 2024, there were 15 armed clash events. 2 The ABSDF primarily conducts its combat operations in collaboration with other EROs and PDFs/LDFs, resulting in relatively few independent engagements. According to the ABSDF’s statement, there were more than 280 armed clash events during the three year period of the Spring Revolution. 1 Statement about the 12th Conference, ABSDF, 17 November 2023
Contact Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/theabsdf Reference: Deciphering Myanmar’s Peace Process – A Reference Guide (2023 – 2024) |
