The Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC), a provisional government established by resistance forces in 2023, announced on Feb. 10 that it has expanded 16 township-level administrative bodies in Karenni and in southern Shan states, located 262 km east of the capital Naypyidaw, along the Myanmar-Thailand border.
“Each township administration must include at least one woman, and representatives are elected by villagers through an election-style process. Additionally, we have included members from ethnic revolutionary organizations, with a minimum of one and a maximum of four members, alongside four to nine public representatives. This creates a hybrid-style township administrative body,” Khu Oo Reh, the IEC chairperson, told DVB.
The Karenni IEC formed township administrative bodies in Hpruso, Demoso (East), Nanmekhon, Mese, Ywa Thit, and Pekon townships. The latter is located in southern Shan. Furthermore, 16 police stations have been established across these townships.
“The main weakness is the lack of staff in the Home Affairs Department, which limits the provision of adequate public services. While people now have access to courts for legal proceedings, issues arise when cases involve military personnel. Since they are armed, people are often afraid to file complaints. When such complaints are brought to the IEC, responses can be weak due to limited human resources and administrative capacity,” a Demoso resident told DVB.
The Karenni IEC announced on Feb. 11 that all visitors and tourists in Karenni State must obtain a pass for safe passage. It also reported that it has generated over 5.5 billion kyats ($1.2 million USD) in revenue during 2024.
In its annual departmental performance report, the Karenni IEC detailed its revenue sources: 31 percent from tax collection, 29 percent from contributions by the National Unity Government (NUG), 28 percent from international organizations, and 12 percent from other sources.
The IEC was established in June 2023 as a provisional government and it operates under a federal democratic model, which has been cited as an example for the rest of Myanmar.
It has established 11 departments, including four sub-departments under the Home Affairs Department: the Public Administration Department, the Immigration Department, the Emergency Relief Department, and the Karenni State Police Department.
Karenni resistance forces claim full control over six towns in Karenni State, including Mese on the Myanmar-Thailand border.
Following an offensive launched on November 11, 2023, they seized most of the Karenni State capital Loikaw, but in June last year the military regained control of it. Currently, 80 percent of Karenni State, which historically includes parts of southern Shan, is under IEC control.
The regime in Naypyidaw controls Loikaw, Bawlakhe, and Hpasawng.
