Youth organizations representing the Wa, Ta’ang, and Mon ethnic communities have issued a joint statement rejecting the military junta’s planned election, calling it a “sham” designed to prolong dictatorship. They urged all political parties, ethnic armed groups, civil society organizations, and politicians both inside and outside Myanmar not to take part or lend support.
The joint declaration, released on November 10, was signed by the Wa Youth Voice, the Ta’ang Students and Youth Organization, and the Mon Youth Progressive Organization (MYPO).
According to the statement, every election organized by the military throughout history has served only to maintain its power, create division among ethnic groups, and manipulate the international community. The upcoming election, they said, is intended to avoid accountability for war crimes and to revive the 2008 Constitution to legitimize military rule.
“The so-called election is nothing more than a tool to preserve the junta’s authority,” the statement said, stressing that participation would go against the federal democratic vision upheld by the revolutionary movement since the 2008 Constitution was abolished.
The groups also appealed to the international community, including China, foreign governments, international organizations, and regional investors, not to provide any technical, financial, or political assistance to the junta’s election or recognize it in any way.
Citing lessons from past struggles, the youth organizations pledged to continue working toward the establishment of a strong federal union based on unity and cooperation among ethnic revolutionary forces.
They concluded by reaffirming their solidarity, vowing to resist any action or process that could extend the military dictatorship’s rule.
