The Communist Party of Burma (CPB) says, turning guns on one another and clashing among revolutionary forces will only prolong the military dictatorship.
In a February 2nd press release, the CPB noted that Myanmar’s armed revolution began in 1948. Throughout its history, armed groups have at times resolved internal conflicts. Revolutionary comrades on both sides have lost lives.
Such incidents brought no benefit to either organization and only advantaged the enemy, while the public suffered losses. The statement described these events as hard-learned lessons paid for in blood throughout the revolution’s history.
Conflicts among revolutionary groups are internal disputes, and says the CPB, should not be resolved by armed confrontations. Such methods, it stressed, benefit only the military regime, and the CPB firmly opposes them.
Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a political analyst and member of the Communist Party of Burma, said the Bamar and other ethnic nationalities once lived in unity. Colonialism divided them. She said the military regime now also tries to divide revolutionary forces. The party is speaking out to raise awareness of this issue.
We have our own experiences. For example, with Karen and Kachin early on. When the civil war broke out in 1950 and involved our party, similar things happened. If we fight among ourselves, we may forget our common enemy. That’s why we urge unity and solidarity, and to focus on fighting the common enemy—the military regime.
Especially for all who oppose military dictatorship—whether through armed resistance or nonviolent means —we are striving from all fronts. We must form broad coalitions to work together.
The CPB also said that on Myanmar’s current revolutionary battlefield, various armed groups have formed alliances. They jointly fought the common enemy in different regions and achieved victories. In these battles, enemy forces were defeated, and weapons seized. These serve as exemplary models.
The presence of many diverse revolutionary forces shows the strength of the revolution, the party added. After years of religious, ethnic, political, and economic division imposed by the dictatorship, uniting to confront the regime as a common enemy is a positive, necessary step.
The statement concluded that the Communist Party of Burma will play its part in promoting equality, unity, and mutual support among all revolutionary organizations.
