‘They are our revolution partners’: TNLA general secretary

The battle with the RCSS is a battle we don’t need in any respect. We don’t need to battle, however we can not keep away from it. We wish peace and growth in our area. We need to remedy the political drawback. Nonetheless, the RCSS invaded our territory with the assistance of the Burmese Military after signing the Nationwide Ceasefire Settlement in 2015. They arrange camp in our space after which the RCSS arrested and tortured our individuals. They took our individuals by pressure to serve their troops and dedicated many human rights violations. 

So, we have to battle them. Clashes with the RCSS have occurred in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Lastly, in 2021, we pushed to clear the RCSS from our space on the western aspect of the Nawnghkio-Kyaukme-Hsipaw freeway. We don’t contemplate the RCSS to be our important enemy. We’ve no want to eradicate them utterly. We simply requested the RCSS to go away the realm. In the event that they keep in these areas, we can not deal with our revolutionary work. For instance, if we fought with the Myanmar army, the RCSS would transfer into our buffer zone. So, we had to make use of army strategies to resolve the RCSS drawback. Now that the RCSS troops have moved to the japanese aspect of the freeway, there isn’t any must battle anymore.

The Ta’ang Political Consultative Committee (TPCC) joined the Nationwide Unity Consultative Council. How is the PSLF/TNLA concerned within the TPCC? 

The TPCC is a political advisory physique for the Ta’ang individuals. We perceive Ta’ang civil society organisations and political organisations are concerned in TPCC. Our TNLA just isn’t straight concerned within the TPCC, however we usually change details about what the TPCC is doing. And likewise, we’ve discussions and negotiations with TPCC. So, we settle for and agree with the actions of the TPCC. 

What does the TNLA focus on with TPCC? 

We, the Ta’ang individuals, are on the trail to overthrowing the present dictatorship. We all the time give them suggestions to assist them attain their targets sooner. At current, our armed group just isn’t in a position to take part straight on account of varied causes. However the TPCC represents us. We are able to say that TPCC has our voice. 

How vital is it for the TNLA to overthrow the army dictatorship?

The final word aim of the PSLF/TNLA is to realize the Ta’ang State, self-determination, democracy and human rights. These won’t be obtained so long as there’s a dictatorship. So, to realize our final aim, it’s actually vital to utterly overthrow the dictatorship. 

Can the aim of a federal union, as ethnic leaders have all the time demanded, emerge from this Spring Revolution?

We see that Era Z, which has taken a management function within the Spring Revolution, have come to know the political drawback in Burma. They are going to perceive how one can construct a real federal democracy with out future coups in Burma. We are able to work along with them for vital issues on the union stage.

Will the TNLA be extra straight concerned within the Spring Revolution sooner or later? Or Will the TNLA go towards the army in your personal method?

The present Nationwide Unity Authorities-led a part of the Spring Revolution, together with Folks’s Defence Forces and different armed resistance teams, are vital to right this moment’s revolutionary panorama. Not solely TNLA but in addition the Northern Alliance and Brotherhood Alliance perceive that these are vital actions for the revolution. Nonetheless, on account of varied circumstances and varied political restrictions, we aren’t in a position to take part as overtly as different organisations. However the TNLA helps this motion. We perceive the scenario very properly. Everyone seems to be chargeable for this revolution’s success.  Throughout the filming, not solely actors are concerned. There are additionally individuals concerned behind the scenes. We have to work strategically, relying on the wants of the revolution. Everybody has a accountability to make this revolution successful.

What would the TNLA must see to be able to accomplice with the NUG?

After the NUG and NUCC have been based, they drafted federal charters to resolve political reforms. I feel these are good steps. If the leaders of the NUG, NUCC and EAOs can attain widespread floor on these charters, we are able to work collectively sooner or later. If we need to construct a real federal democratic union, we have to cross these steps.

What’s the perspective of the TNLA in direction of the army’s peace gives?

The army leaders give varied alternatives to EAOs to cooperate with them. However we all know that these gives are dishonest based mostly on a few years of expertise. We’re not waging an armed rebellion only for the sake of our enterprise alternatives. We actually need our area to develop. So, making the most of that chance from army generals won’t result in lasting peace and stability. Improvement just isn’t attainable. I hope all EAOs perceive what must be executed on this scenario.

Will there be peace talks with the army sooner or later?

We all know one of the simplest ways to discover a resolution to any political drawback is thru dialogue. Nonetheless, after the coup, the army continued to crack down and kill harmless civilians throughout the entire nation. If they’re committing a collection of battle crimes, political dialogue with the pro-democracy forces and EAOs will stay very troublesome.

The army council used armed pressure to grab political energy and management over the economic system of the nation. The military led by Min Aung Hlaing has been preventing in our ethnic areas for years. They killed civilians and burned homes in our ethnic areas, just like what’s occurring now in Sagaing Area. That is the true signal of dictatorship. In consequence, all of the individuals of the entire nation hate the Burmese Military. The door to nationwide reconciliation with the Burmese army will be mentioned to be closed.

How lengthy will this armed rebellion final?

The NUG, Era Z, PDFs and armed resistance leaders have executed so much for the armed rebellion in simply over a 12 months. They constructed their very own weapons. They revolted by slicing off the prevailing price range as a result of they hated the dictatorship. It may be mentioned that the armed rebellion of those PDFs is sort of gratifying. How lengthy it’ll take and when it’ll succeed relies on how EAO leaders and Spring Revolution leaders can work collectively.

What would you want so as to add as a pacesetter of the ethnic armed teams in regards to the present Spring Revolution?

Now the oppression is nice. The armed rebellion is getting larger and the losses for the persons are better. However individuals shouldn’t get depressed about this. They should intensify their resistance and discover a higher strategy to win. If EAO leaders and leaders from the Spring Revolution can not overthrow this army dictatorship, our future era and our nation will fall into the arms of the dictator. I feel all of us have a accountability to not let that occur.