KNU

Brigadier General Saw Jonny, commander of the Karen National Union (KNU) Brigade 7 has been elected as the commander-in-chief of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). The KNLA is the armed wing of the KNU. Brig-Gen Saw Baw Kyaw Heh the commander of the KNLA Brigade 5 has been elected as the vice-chief-of-staff (VCS), the second most powerful position in…

The Karen National Union’s top five positions were elected in a secret ballot at the organisation’s 15th Congress held at Lay Wah, Pa-an District, Karen State, today, 21 December. The five new leaders are – General Mutu Say Poe, chairperson, Naw Zipporah Sein as vice-chairperson, Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win is the new general secretary, Padoh Saw Thaw Thi Bwe…

General Mutu Say Poe won the leadership of Karen National Union in a secret ballot at the organisations 15th Congress held in Lay Wah, Pa-an District, Karen State. Karen News is led to understand that all the KNU’s top three key positions were also decided today, Friday 21 December – Naw Zipporah Sein was elected to vice-chairperson and Saw Kwe…

The votes for key positions in the Karen National Union are expected to be closed today, Friday 21 December. The key positions are – the five executives and department heads and the central standing committee. Many observers say the KNU 15th Congress is an opportunity for the organisation to show a united front. It is expected that the 15th Congress…

Since October 26, Karen National Union representatives and members of community-based-groups have attended the KNU 15th Congress to vote in a new executive, department heads and the central standing committee. Karen News spoke to two KNU representatives attending the Congress about the changes that the ceasefire in Karen State has brought. Saw Klo Mutraw is an officer with the Karen…

General Tamla Baw, the Karen National Union’s President resigned on the first day of the KNU’s 15th Congress held at Lay Wah Camp, Hlaing Bwe Towhship in Karen State. General Tamla Baw, who had a long and distinguish career as a soldier said in his opening speech at the KNU Congress. “I will resign at this Congress. I advise those…

U Phyinyarthami (also known as Taungalay Sayadaw), the Abbot of Taungalay Temple in Hpa-an Township in Karen State, talked to Karen News about the Karen National Union’s (KNU’s) work and the current problems within the political organisation. Here are Abbot Taungalay Sayadaw’s views. “If I am to give my opinion on the KNU, I would say that every KNU leader…

Karen community based organizations from inside Burma want the Karen National Union leaders to put the people’s interest first in the ongoing ‘peace talks’ with the government. The Karen based community groups raised their concerns at meeting during the Myanmar Baptist Convention in Rangoon on November 20. Saw Kyaw Swar from the Karen Affair Committee said concerns about the huge…

The Karen National Union in Southern Burma says a coal extraction operation near Karen villages in eastern Tavoy is not welcome. Villagers are concerned it could destroy most of their plantations. Saw Paul Naw, the Karen National Union’s (KNU) Ka Ser Doh Township official spoke to Karen News. “In September, 2012, a Thai company, East Star, paid compensation for the…

Naw Ohn Hla is a former political prisoner and a former member of the National League for Democracy, the political party led by Aung San Suu Kyi. She was sentenced in 2009 to two years in Taungoo Prison and was released in 2011. Naw Ohn Hla spoke to Karen News. Q: There is conflict among KNU leaders. Who does it…