Myanmar Spring Chronicle February 14 by MoeMaKa Media:
New Faction Emerges within New Mon State Party
Three years after the military coup in Myanmar, the New Mon State Party (NMSP), a signatory to the nationwide cease-fire agreement in 2018, has witnessed internal divisions, with some prominent figures announcing a split on February 14. This breakaway faction, calling itself the New Mon State Party (Anti-Dictatorship) or NMSP (AD), is reported to include the party’s general secretary, Nai Zeya, deputy commander-in-chief, Nai Salun Htaw, and internal affairs head, Nai Banyar Lei.
Sources close to the matter reveal that out of the 11 members of the Central Executive Committee, three have joined the NMSP (AD), while eight remain with the existing NMSP. The split also involves one battalion affiliated with the NMSP.
The decision to part ways was allegedly rooted in disagreements over the NMSP’s adherence to the path outlined by the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). The NMSP (AD) claims that discussions with the military council on the deployment of troops did not yield any agreement, prompting the factional break.
The NMSP, known for its participation in peace talks with the military council after the coup, refrained from direct confrontation. However, the NMSP (AD) asserts that the lack of consensus on troop deployment during discussions with the military council led to their decision to break away.
While Mon State has experienced relatively fewer armed conflicts compared to other regions, recent clashes in areas like Chaung Hna Khwa Bridge and Sabel Gu have seen the Karen National Union (KNU) and People’s Defense Forces (PDF) jointly attacking military council troops and police stations. The military council responded with offensives resulting in the destruction of villages and loss of life.
Dissatisfaction has simmered among some Mon youths who felt the NMSP’s reluctance to engage the military council was inadequate. Although Mon State has generally been spared extensive fighting, some armed forces and youth express a desire to align with other anti-dictatorship factions against the military regime.
The emergence of NMSP (AD) on February 14 marks a significant development in the region’s political and military landscape. The new faction has adopted a name similar to the longstanding NMSP, distinguishing itself with the tag “(Anti-Dictatorship).”
Mon State has seen the formation of various armed groups such as MSRF (Mon State Revolutionary Force), MSDF (Mon State Defense Force), Ye Guerrilla Force, Ye Air Force, and Ye Bhilu Force, along with political entities like Mon State Federal Council (MSFC) and Mon State Revolutionary Organization (MSRO). While NMSP and NMSP (AD) represent formidable armed groups, others operate on a smaller scale within local communities.
The implications of this split within the NMSP on the military and political dynamics of Mon State remain uncertain, requiring further observation as events unfold.