General Jonny elected as head of Karen Army

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 army.

The two most powerful positions in the KNLA were elected by the newly formed KNU Standing Committee today at the organisations 15th Congress held at Lay Wah, Pa-an,Karen State.

The positions of the newly two elected commanders will now be submitted to the KNU Congress for ratification.