The Karen National Union (KNU) Mutraw District Brigade 5 issued a statement today, August 26, announcing that they will take action against those who participate in the military council’s election in Papun District, Karen State. These actions will include summoning for warnings, detention, and exile. The statement emphasized that the military council’s election is neither based on agreements reached through inclusive political dialogue nor in accordance with federal democratic constitutional principles.
Furthermore, Brigade 5 stated that this upcoming election will neither end Myanmar’s current political conflict nor achieve lasting peace. The statement points out that the election excludes participation from deserving political organizations, ethnic revolutionary organizations, and the general public, making it merely a process conducted according to the violent military council’s wishes. The election is described as neither genuine nor fair, benefiting only the military council generals, their associates, and military-backed political parties, while offering no advantages to ethnic nationalities and the general public.
The statement declares that since the election is merely the military council’s attempt to legitimize their coup and extend the military dictatorship system, Mutraw District Brigade 5 completely rejects its legitimacy. The Brigade has warned all people, armed revolutionary organizations, community-based organizations (CBOs/CSOs), and religious leaders within the Mutraw District (KNLA) Brigade 5 area not to directly or indirectly participate in or support this unilateral election to be held by the military council. The statement clearly outlines that anyone within the district who fails to comply with this directive will face consequences, including being summoned for education and warnings, appropriate detention, or exile from the Mutraw District Brigade 5 area.
