NP News – May 3 

The 17th Congress of the Karen National Union has been kicked off since April 24. Former chairman Padoh Saw Mutu Say Poe attends the congress in person. Representatives from Brigade 2 and Brigade 5 attended online in the early days of the congress and did not propose any nominee list for the leadership ranks. 

As per reports, Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win has been confirmed for the Chair of the KNU by 70 votes. 

Although the names for the Vice-Chair and Secretary positions yet confirmed, Saw Tah Doh Moo: currently a member of Central Committee has been elected as Secretary while Saw Hsar Gay: current Chairman of Brigade 7 has been elected as Vice-Chairperson by 66 votes, according to a source. 

Other Big Five of the KNU reportedly involved, as per two sources close to the congress personnel, Saw Hla Tun, Saw Roger Khin, Naw Myaing Poh and Saw Taw Te Bwe. 

Saw Roger Khin is widely known as a pro-NCA personnel in the KNU. 

Saw Taw Te Bwe and Saw Hla Tun, as per another source, were elected as the Secretary 1 and 2 respectively while Naw Myaing Poh was elected as the Chief Judge of the KNU. 

A former senior level officer from the KNU gave a remark to NP News that “the future of Kayin State depends on the leader they chose. If the leader inclined to the means for negotiation and peace, the peace will be potentially implemented in the state. If the leader tends to be aggressive and tend to fight, the area will not be peaceful. However, I think most of the people do not like unpeaceful conditions.”

Two powers have been in rivalries in the KNU between pro-NCA and anti-NCA. The latter group eagers to annihilate the Myanmar Military (Tatmadaw) whereas the former still wants to follow the provisions of the National Ceasefire Agreement for restoration of peace within the region. However, the anti-NCA group doesn’t attend the congress in person but online in fear of being air bombarded over the event.