The newly formed Tavoyan National United Political Committee (TNUPC) has announced a major effort to consolidate the fragmented local resistance, declaring that Dawei resistance forces will merge to establish a single Dawei ethnic armed organization.
The TNUPC released a statement on December 12, explaining that its formation followed systematic research and intensive consultation with local resistance groups.
The committee said its efforts are centered on the “Path to Dawei National Liberation,” emphasizing that it was founded by listening to the public’s wishes and opinions.
The Committee’s formation came after repeated consultations and discussions among various groups—including Dawei resistance organizations, political blocs, civil society organizations (such as education, health, IDP relief, and logistics groups), and individual leaders—during a plenary session held in late November.
The Dawei region currently has at least three Dawei ethnic-based armed resistance groups and numerous PDF battalions not officially under the National Unity Government (NUG). However, a unified ethnic-based political leadership organization for the Dawei people has not yet fully emerged.
“The committee will work to implement the emergence of a political organization capable of leading the Dawei national liberation within a specified timeframe,” said Mae Hsu, Secretary of the TNUPC.
“We plan to work towards the merging of Dawei revolutionary forces to establish a single Dawei armed organization, and to realize a political organization capable of providing political leadership.”
The exact timeline for the establishment of this new political leadership body was not specified.
The TNUPC’s statement outlined three key Dawei National Political Objectives: Federalism, which aims for the emergence of a Federal Democratic Union that guarantees the self-determination and self-administration of the Dawei people; Justice, which seeks to base the system on justice, freedom, and the peaceful coexistence of all races and religions; and Identity, which involves establishing a socio-economic system rooted in the Dawei national identity and wisdom.
Secretary Mae Hsu confirmed that organizations agreeing to these three objectives are already participating, and structuring work for the formation of the new military organization is underway.
“We will systematically establish a force that can bring liberation to the Dawei people. In establishing this, the current revolutionary experience and lessons learned are sufficient to prioritize practical action over mere rhetoric. We also welcome and keep the door open for other Dawei revolutionary forces to join,” Mae Hsu stated.
She declined to disclose the names of the currently involved resistance groups, citing security reasons.
The committee emphasized that it would cooperate with various anti-dictatorship organizations, including the NUG-affiliated PDF battalions and PaKaFa (People’s Defense Force) groups, to achieve the Dawei National Political Objectives.
Furthermore, the TNUPC said it will negotiate with the Drafting Commission for Tanintharyi Federal Unit Interim Arrangements and the KNU Mergui-Tavoy District to strengthen the nationwide liberation efforts through the eventual liberation of Tanintharyi.
