By Kantarawaddy Times
The leader of the Karen Nationalities Defence Force and deputy chair of the Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC), Burma’s first state-level revolutionary government, has promised to supply arms to all groups fighting to overthrow the military regime in the region.
“We expect unity after the formation of the Karenni State government. We will arm all the fighting groups…We will not supply groups that are not fighting,” Khun Bedu said during a press conference held online on Monday. He also guaranteed transparency in the collection of taxes and other financial matters, including the distribution of weapons, ammunition and food rations.
Khun Bedu said armed groups that haven’t joined the resistance will not be invited to join the new government, but remarked most have.
“We are committed to working for the Karenni State government and for the people,” he told Kantarawaddy Times, expecting all resistance groups to unite during this democratic transition period.
The IEC was formed on 6 June and officially announced on 12 June under the guidelines and policies of the Karenni State Consultative Council.
IEC chair Khu Oo Reh said at the launch, “We’re very proud of the youths across the country, including the Karenni youths, who are sacrificing their lives and facing many hardships in the jungles to end the military dictatorship in this country…We don’t want their future dreams and goals to be lost. That is why we’re formed the IEC.”
