Opinion Article by Mehm Sahai
The 78th Karen National Day is not only a significant occasion for the Karen people to express their political aspirations; it is also a day that highlights the crucial role of youth in the revolutionary journey toward building a new federal union.
In a statement released by the Karen Youth Organization (KYO), a clear political objective was set: to abolish the 2008 Constitution and replace it with a new constitution that can genuinely guarantee the interests of the people.
This is not merely a revolution statement, but a systematic preparation for state-building under a firm political framework.
The “Kawthoolei Charter” and Youth Decision-Making Power
At a press conference held during the 11th conference of the Student Youth Congress of Burma (SYCB), a Karen youth leader firmly stated that in implementing the Karen National Union (KNU)’s Kawthoolei Charter, youth are not bystanders but key stakeholders with decision-making power.
According to the youth leader, , the Charter formally recognizes five stakeholder groups, including youth (referred to as “Kawthoolei Youth”) as one of the core stakeholders.
In addition to youth, the other stakeholders include women, elected representatives from the 2020 general election, KNU leaders, and ethnic representatives from Mon and Pa-O communities within the region.
This demonstrates that the Karen people have legally affirmed the decision-making power of youth in the construction of their state.
A Lesson and Warning for Neighboring Mon Youth
Karen youth, under the guidance of the KNU, are already taking practical steps toward equality, self-determination, and federal union-building. According to the KYO statement, Karen youth remain committed to fighting until liberation from all forms of oppression is achieved, driven by genuine patriotism.
The critical question, then, concerns neighboring Mon youth. While Karen youth are organizing systematically, building firm policies, and stepping into decision-making roles, how prepared are Mon youth to shape their own national destiny?
The Ramanya Mon State Charter: A Historical Responsibility for Mon Youth
A closer look at the Karen national movement reveals diverse armed groups and political organizations—from the KNU to KNLA/PC, DKBA, and today’s KNA (formerly BGF), along with various political parties. Despite their differences, they are united by a common national objective: the establishment of Kawthoolei. Under this shared vision, they have set aside differences and organized systematically through the Kawthoolei Charter.
Similarly, within the Mon national landscape, there exist multiple organizations and political forces, including the New Mon State Party (NMSP), New Mon State Party – Anti-Dictatorship (NMSP-AD), the Mon State Federal Council (MSFC), the Mon State Consultative Council (MSCC), and the Mon Unity Party (MUP), among others. Different organizations follow different paths.
What is urgently needed for the Mon people at this moment is not merely the drafting of a Ramanya Mon State Constitution, but first the creation of a “Ramanya Mon State Charter” that can bring all organizations under a shared political framework. While each group may maintain its own principles and approaches, it has become essential to unite under a common charter for the future of Mon State.
This step can no longer wait solely for direction from political leaders. Mon youth themselves carry a historic responsibility to actively push for the emergence of a “Ramanya Mon State Charter” and to unite the diverse Mon forces.
If Karen youth have been able to push their leadership to turn the Kawthoolei dream into concrete action, Mon youth must also overcome divisions and begin taking practical steps toward the future of Ramanya Mon State.
