On February 3, a concerned group associated with the Karen National Union (KNU) issued a statement calling on the international community not to recognize the military led coup that forcibly seized power from the NLD.
Naw Sira Phoe Sein, a spokeswoman for the Group said, “… it is important that the military return power, because the NLD won the election. This is an important point [to have a peaceful] transfer of power. Then we can go on. If it is not returned, it will not be legal for the Myanmar Military. It is not a sign of real government. It is not an official government.”
Efforts to amend the 2008 constitution through political talks, have not been possible, noted the group.
“As far as I can tell, there is still a National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). The ethnic armed insurgent groups that have signed the NCA are hoping for political dialogue. But in five years, the political dialogue [has not developed as] expected. The military’s expectations of the NCA is not the same as the ethnic people’s desires,” said Naw Sira Phoe Sein.
The KNU Concerned Group will not accept any military led government administration formed after their coup, and will continue to support and protect a Karen National Union (KNU) based on the self-determination within the Karen Revolutionary Area.
Karen armed groups such as the DKBA, KNU/ KNLA PC, BGF, in collaboration with the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), have called on the Kaw Thu Lay Army to protect the Karen people.
