In Yangon on June 14, Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win, Chairman of the Karen National Union (KNU), announced that Karen State will participate as the nation of Kawthoolei in the future federal democratic union, where Karen people will have the right to determine and administer their own destiny. This statement was made during his speech commemorating the 76th Kawthoolei Day. He emphasized that the Karen national revolutionary movement represents the aspirations and dreams of the Karen people to establish the nation of Kawthoolei, noting that the concept of Kawthoolei remains indelibly embedded in the hearts of all Karen people.
The KNU chairman explained that currently, the organization is working diligently towards reforming Myanmar in collaboration with other ethnic revolutionary organizations and anti-military dictatorship groups to build a federal democratic union. He outlined plans for systematic implementation of administration and public affairs management in KNU-controlled territories. The chairman emphasized their approach to building a federal democratic union through bottom-up administration, strengthening states first before establishing the union. This process involves empowering states as a foundation for building a stronger federal union structure.
The KNU chairman stressed that it is the historical duty of the Karen people to definitively eliminate the majoritarian ideology, dictatorship, and those who create internal conflicts by employing these systems. He emphasized the crucial need to nurture future generations who can ensure the Karen people’s right to self-determination in their territory and their ability to shape and administer their own destiny. The KNU chairman urged all Karen people to actively and unitedly participate in establishing the Karen State of Kawthoolei, emphasizing the importance of collective effort in achieving this goal. He highlighted the significance of building a future where Karen people have complete autonomy over their affairs and can determine their own path forward as part of the federal democratic union.
