Karen CSOs have called on the Karen National Union (KNU) headquarters to explain whether the statements by the branch KNU chairperson of Dupalayar District about his desire to meet the junta.

Naw Wah Khushi, Spokesperson of the Karen Peace Support Network (KPSN) said: “Although the statements are personal views, they use the name of the KNU. Karen people are deeply opposed to any cooperation or recognition of the military council which is killing Karen people. The truth is that the KNU's stand is opposition to the dictatorship.”

In the statements by KNU sector 6, General Saw Mutu Say Poe claims the KNU has a desire to hold the discussion with the military council which is committing the brutal killings of anti-coup protestors.

Naw Sae Sae, the member of the Central Standing Committee of the Karen Women’s Organization (KWO) said: “I want to raise the question to the entire KNU. In my view, the KNU should give an explanation of why it has happened. The KNU needs to clearly showcase its political stand. “At a time when the people across the country are engaging in the protests to root out the military dictatorship, the statement runs counter to the people’s desires.

In the statement issued on May 10th, the KNU Chair said all sides should seek solutions to the political problem through dialogues. Pado Saw Shwe Maung, Chair of the KNU Brigade-6 (Dupalayar District) endorsed the KNU’s branch chairman’s statement.

In the statement on May 10th, he called on all stakeholders to maintain the peace by abiding by the NCA’s frameworks and expressed a desire to solve the political problem through dialogue.”

In reality, the KNU escorts protestors, allows CDM staff to take refuge in the KNU-controlled areas and fight back against an offensive by the junta troops. The KNU is one of many parties pledged to oust the military dictatorship.

Naw Sae Sae commented: “We have to make sure that everyone in the KNU understands our stand, it should be clear and well-publicized.

Naw Wah Khushi said: “The Tatmadaw is killing our ethnic peoples. We need to strongly oppose the military dictatorship. The entire people are engaging in the efforts to root out the military dictatorship and some EAOs are fighting the junta troops.”