The Price of Division: How KNU’s Obstruction is Undermining Karen Unity and Resistance
The Karen struggle for autonomy in Burma has long been marked by sacrifice, resilience, and a deep yearning for self-determination. But today, that struggle is being undermined—not by the enemy alone, but by deepening internal divisions. While multiple armed groups such as the KNLA, KNDO, and KTLA continue to fight for the freedom of Karen people, the Karen National Union (KNU) has taken a troubling stance: resisting efforts at cooperation and reportedly threatening its own members who seek collaboration with other resistance factions (BNI Online, 2023).
This strategy of isolation and exclusion not only fractures the broader Karen movement—it risks forfeiting the very future the people have bled for.
The Collapse of Moral Leadership
For decades, the KNU served as the political face of the Karen resistance. But in recent years, its credibility has faltered amid allegations of corruption, elite profiteering, and association with illicit development projects near the Thai-Burma border (Irrawaddy, 2024; Kyodo News, 2025). Instead of embracing reform or welcoming the rise of younger, battle-tested leaders, the KNU has doubled down on centralized control.
Reports from civil society networks and diaspora leaders suggest that KNU officials have discouraged or outright threatened KNLA and KNDO commanders who coordinate with rival factions like the Kawthoolei Army (KTLA)—a group led by General Nerdah Bo Mya that was formed after he was removed for speaking out against misconduct, corruption, and enriching themselves within KNU.
Fear of Cooperation Over Fear of the Enemy
While the Tatmadaw remains a constant threat, infighting between Karen groups has caused avoidable casualties and diverted critical resources. The KTLA, while not as large as traditional forces, has positioned itself as a principled movement focused on anti-corruption, civic accountability, and inclusive governance (Cornwell, 2024). General Nerdah Bo Mya’s ability to bridge ethnic, religious, and generational gaps has earned him growing support from youth, churches, and Karen communities abroad.
Despite this, the KNU continues to treat KTLA as a rival faction rather than a legitimate partner. Public reports have highlighted internal tensions, with some KNU brigades clashing with KTLA-aligned units in southern regions (BNI Online, 2023). Instead of welcoming a united front, the KNU appears more concerned with maintaining its own political dominance—even at the cost of lives and momentum.
A Movement at Risk of Losing Its Soul
The fallout from these divisions is felt most painfully by civilians. Refugees and border villages caught in zones of overlapping authority often face confusion, resource gaps, or abandonment (Wikipedia, 2025). International aid routed through political channels may never reach resistance-held zones if those areas fall outside the KNU’s sphere.
Additionally, foreign governments and NGOs have historically engaged only with KNU leadership, unaware or unwilling to accept that power on the ground has shifted. Foreign governments are now understanding that KNU may not be the right partner. This misalignment perpetuates the imbalance and leaves credible new actors without proper support (Irrawaddy, 2024).
The Path Forward: Unity through Shared Vision, Not Control
This is a moment for courageous leadership—not coercive loyalty. The reconciliation of General Nerdah Bo Mya and respected KNLA hardliners such as General Baw Kyaw Heh could offer a new vision for the Karen resistance, one built on battlefield legitimacy, ethical governance, and genuine local support.
But such a reconciliation is impossible if KNU leadership continues to stifle collaboration. A united Karen force is within reach, but only if leaders choose humility over hierarchy and allow the movement to evolve beyond the shadows of past prestige.
Conclusion
The Karen people have never lacked courage. What’s needed now is clarity—and unity. The KNU must abandon its tactics of exclusion and control and instead join the broader effort to forge a united front worthy of the Karen legacy. If it cannot, then others must rise in its place, not as rivals, but as reformers.
Unity won’t come from threats. It must come from truth. And only through truth can freedom be secured.
Reference:
BNI Online. (2023, February 20). Karen villagers call for resolution of conflict between KTLA and KNU. BNI. Retrieved from https://www.bnionline.net
Cornwell, O. (2024, April 25). Myanmar warlord at centre of battle for key border town. Reuters. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com
Irrawaddy. (2024). Shadow warfare and scams: The secret economy behind Shwe Kokko. The Irrawaddy.
Kyodo News. (2025, January 12). Inside world 'crime capital' where heroin lords gamble in ‘underworld Vegas’ & drug addicts. The Sun (via Kyodo). Retrieved from [The Sun syndicated report via Kyodo]
Wikipedia contributors. (2025, July 2025). Shwe Kokko. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved July 6, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shwe_Kokko
Wikipedia contributors. (2025). Karen National Liberation Army. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved July 6, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_National_Liberation_Army
