“SCEF has been meeting with those who are considering joining the alliance. So, in terms of bringing the different groups together, there is some significant movement. However, we are not seeing much immediate impact yet.” — U Tet Toe, spokesperson for the Mon State Consultative Council (MSCC)
As the country reaches a political turning point, cooperation among revolutionary forces—combining political and military coordination—has become a key priority.
In this context, the Council for the Emergence of a Federal Democratic Union (SCEF) held meetings from July 17th to the 23rd with 11 revolutionary forces, including Mon political organizations. The discussions focused on mutual recognition in efforts to implement self-determination and local governance arrangements, as well as ensuring broader participation.
During the discussions with Mon revolutionary forces, the groups discussed the current political landscape and the political processes that should be pursued going forward.
Following these discussions, IMNA interviewed U Tet Toe, spokesperson for the Mon State Consultative Council (MSCC), to learn more about potential cooperation between the Mon revolutionary forces and SCEF, as well as preparations for a future governance system in Mon State.
Q: What was the main purpose of the meeting between SCEF and the Mon political and revolutionary forces, including NMSP-AD, MSFC, MSCC, and CRMH?
A: The main reason we met with SCEF was that, as I understand it, NMSP-AD and MSFC had already decided to meet with SCEF. So, we also met with SCEF so that we could come together as a single group. That was essentially the purpose of the meeting and discussion.
Q: What key next steps were identified during the discussions? What common agreements were reached?
A: We have not established any specific next steps with SCEF yet. For now, we are still meeting and discussing matters. There were several issues that we mainly raised with SCEF. We have not yet held another meeting among the Mon revolutionary groups to follow up on those issues. No significant agreements have been reached so far.
Q: What further steps are planned to achieve stronger strategic cooperation among Mon political forces?
A: Four Mon political organizations are currently participating in the process. To strengthen strategic cooperation among the Mon forces, we also held a Mon Forum. MSCC participated in that forum.
Following the Mon Forum, a decision was made to draft a Mon State Revolutionary Charter. At present, we are still in the process of drafting the Mon State Revolutionary Charter. Once it is completed, we plan to cooperate based on the agreements reached through that process.
Q: What preparations is MSCC currently making for a future governance system in Mon State? How could these discussions contribute to governance in Mon State?
A: The future governance system of Mon State, as well as humanitarian issues, are being discussed as part of the Mon State Revolutionary Charter. We will continue working based on those agreements.
At the moment, however, it is still difficult to discuss the specific processes in detail.
Q: There have been reports that SCEF has recently been holding a series of political discussions with major revolutionary forces. Some members of the public expect these meetings to lead to significant political and military developments. What would you like to say about these expectations?
A: It is true that SCEF has been holding ongoing meetings with revolutionary forces. However, we are not yet seeing any significant political or military developments—at least not immediately.
This is because discussions are still ongoing. They are also meeting with groups that may be willing to join the alliance. Rather than saying that they are mobilizing these groups, I would say that they are holding discussions with them.
So, in terms of bringing the different groups together, there is significant movement taking place. However, we do not expect to see any major immediate change at present.
Within this grouping, which includes around six or seven groups, there may be significant developments. But beyond this, there has not yet been much broader cooperation.
