Younger, more active and united leadership wanted from KNU Congress
November 18 |
| Posted in Articles, Recommended
| Tags: Karen,
KNU
The Karen National Union’s (KNU) next four-year Congress
and elections will be held on 26 November. The KNU Congress is also the
political organization’s decision-making mechanism. This Congress
promises lots of drama – ceasefire agreements and ‘peace-talks’ with the
government, divisions within the leadership and a call for power
sharing with younger and more accomplished KNU members.
After elections are held a Central Executive Committee (CEC) and a
Central Standing Committee (CSC) will control the KNU for the next four
years. The CEC is made up of a chairman, vice-chairman and three
secretaries and six other members. The CSC will elect representatives
from the KNU’s seven brigades and seven districts.
The Karen community has indicated in recent months that they want the
KNU leaders to be more united and less self-serving. Karen people have
also advocated for a younger leadership to be elected and who will put
self-interest aside to lead a united KNU.
Naw Me Me, a Karen woman refugee told
Karen News.
“We want to see new faces in the leadership. We want leaders who work
for the Karen people, who are experienced and have a proven record as
analysts. We don’t’ want to see more of the old leadership in the top
positions. We would like to see them as advisors. We need the leaders
with good work records.”
Speaking about the 141,000 refugees on the Thai Burma border Naw Me
Me said.
“We want the [KNU] leaders to work for the our return to our homes,
with freedom and the freedom in making our living.”
Saw Samual Htoo, a Karen migrant worker in Thailand, told
Karen
News.
“We need leaders with an united and common position and who are in
solidarity. We need experienced and young leaders, who are healthy and
who can travel and speak well.”
A Karen villager, Saw Kali Ger from Noe Boe village on the Thai-Burma
border told
Karen News.
“We want new leaders to work and stand for our people bravely. Their
actions need to match their talk. They should act on the desire of the
people and not hurt the people by their actions. We don’t want leaders
who work to benefit themselves. We want to see Karen leaders help and
work us, so we could return safely to our homes.”
Naw K’nyaw Paw, the Karen Women Organization’s, Education Program
Coordinator told
Karen News.
“We need leaders who stand for the whole Karen nation, and who follow
the KNU’s congress decisions – policy, political policy, rules and
regulations. We need Karen leaders who work for the needs of the Karen
people. We need leaders who cooperate with overseas Karen, Karen inside
the country and Karen living along the border. We need to work together
with all Karen and to find ways that we can develop our people.”
Naw K’nyaw Paw said it is time to promote young people to positions
of responsibility and to share the power.
“We need leaders who understand how organizations work – how to
follow decisions, consult and to cooperate to work together. Now we have
more young people interested in politics, the KNU should put more young
leaders in the Standing Committee. We need leaders who are active and
in good health, because we are at a critical and important time.”
Saw Eh K’lu Say, vice-chairman of the Karen Youth Organization told
Karen
News.
“We need leaders who have vision for the whole Karen nation and who
can unite the whole Karen nation. We need leaders who are practical. We
need leader who can lead the Karen revolution to meet the needs of the
Karen struggle, to meet the people’s desire and who can work within the
country’s changing situation. The KNU stands three pillars are – the
organization, the armed struggle and the Karen national politics.
Saw Eh K’lu Say said the newly elected leaders need to reconsider
these three positions – the organizations structure, its future
political struggle and the leadership issue that needs to fit the
changing situation.
“With the changing situation in the country and the impact of
international affairs, we have to look at our position. The new
leadership needs to be able to review the issues critically. The new
leaders should discuss these issues and to carry out an united
struggle.”
