Karen National Union (KNU) |
| Founded – 5 February 1947 Headquarters – Klo Yaw Lay, Hpa-An District, Karen State Active territories – Throughout Karen State, Thaton, Bilin and Kyaikto Townships in Mon State, Kyaukkyi, Shwegyin and Mone Townships in Bago Region and Myeik and Dawei Townships in Tanintharyi Region. Size – Over 10,000 Chair – Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win Vice-chair – Padoh Saw Hser Gay General Secretary – Padoh Saw Tadoh Moo KNLA Commander-in-Chief – General Saw Johnny KNLA Deputy Commander-in-Chief – Lt-Gen Baw Kyaw Heh KNDO Command-in-Chief – Brig-Gen Saw Shee Lay The KNU opposed the military coup and joined the EROs grouping of the NUCC. The KNU is collaborating with the CNF/CNA, KIO/KIA and KNPP/KA through the Central Command and Coordination Committee (C3C) formed with the NUG Defense and Home Affairs ministries. The KNU formed the Joint Coordination Committee (J2C) and the Joint Operations Command (JOC) in collaboration with the KNPP/KA and NUG, in southern parts of Myanmar such as Karen, Karenni (Kayah), Mon, Tanintharyi, Ayeyarwaddy, Yangon and Bago and the southern military area which includes Nay Pyi Taw and adjacent regions in the central Myanmar, involving member organizations and key political and military figures in active engagement. Political and military strategies and policies are negotiated and established by J2C while joint ground military commands and military operations are carried out by the JOC. 1 At a press conference titled “First 100 Days: KNU in New Era” on 10 August 2023, the KNU General Secretary Padoh Saw Tadoh Moo announced four political objectives: to restructure the military to disengage from Myanmar’s political landscape, to draft a new constitution based on federal democracy, to reach agreements and implement processes for transitional justice, and to involve international participation at all stages of establishing a new country.”. In addition, the KNU declared the NCA null and void in response to the 2021 military coup. It continues to adhere to justice, equality, self- determination and the emergence of a federal democratic system across the country, and to make efforts for the emergence of a Kawthoolei federal unit which exercises federal democracy with self-determination rights. 2 In collaboration with the CNF/CNA and the ABSDF, the essence of the NCA and eight factors that invalidate the NCA are included in its open letter sent to the witnesses who participated in the signing of the NCA and to the international community. On 27 October 2023, the KNU sent open letters to the UN Office for Myanmar, UN Special Delegation, ASEAN countries, and the Joint Peace Fund (JPF), proposing that the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC), established through the NCA process, be transformed into a “neutral humanitarian aid organization.” The letters highlight the military’s use of humanitarian aid as a weapon. On 31 January 2024, the KNU/KNLA issued a joint position statement alongside the NUG, the CNF/CNA, the KIO/KIA, and the KNPP/KA. The statement was issued by armed forces working towards ending the military dictatorship and establishing a federal democratic union. The objective is to establish a federal democratic union composed of states that ensure comprehensive democracy, national equality, and complete self-determination, while also safeguarding and promoting the distinctive characteristics of ethnic groups residing within the union. Coordination mechanisms will be put in place to efficiently implement six goals, nine positions, and step-by-step processes towards this aim. 3 In December 2023, the allied resistance forces led by KNU/KNLA seized control of Mone town in Kyaukkyi Township, Hpapun in Hpapun District, Kyaikdone in Kawkareik Township and Myawaddy in Myawaddy District. On 11 April 2024, the allied forces withdrew from Myawaddy. On the Karen New Year Day in January 2024, KNU Chair Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win said that armed resistance is perceived as the sole remaining option to achieve the overthrow of the military dictatorship. Clashes with military There were seven armed clash events in 2020. Between January 2021 and 9 July 2024, there were 577 armed clash events with the military. Clashes with EROs There were two armed clash events with the KTLA led by Major General Ner Dah Mya, former Commander-in- Chief of KNDO in 2023. 1 “All Roads to Nay Pyi Taw” or A Study of Southern Military Regional Command.
Contact Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/KNUHQKTL Reference: Deciphering Myanmar’s Peace Process – A Reference Guide (2023 – 2024) |
