About IEC
Interim Executive Council of Karenni State (IEC)
Historical Context (Background of IEC)
    Before the colonial era and up until the late colonial period leading to Myanmar’s independence, the Karenni region existed as an autonomous and independent sovereign state. However, after Myanmar gained independence and a civil war started, the Karenni region was forcibly drawn into the civil war. In 1952, the name “Karenni State” was changed and referred to as “Kayah State.” Since then, the leaders and the people of Karenni State have been incessantly fighting for their national equality and self-determination.
    On March 9th, 1959, the caretaker government General Ne Win approved the proposal for the surrender of administrative powers by the states to the restructuring of the Union of Burma, and then the state had to relinquish power on April 29th. Since then, the Karenni leaders and people have struggled to establish a federal state, in national equality and self-determination continues to this day.
    Although ceasefire talks have been held since 2012, there has been no framework for equal and mutual recognition. The discussions took place under unilateral restrictions and have yet to establish a clear path toward ending the civil war. The 2008 Constitution, unilaterally drafted and forcibly ratified by the military in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, also restricted state equality and self-determination, granting only limited powers to the states.
    In the 2020 general election, local political parties in Karenni State gained greater success in parliamentary seats due to strong support from the voters. However, their opportunity in politics and legitimate authority was lost once again due to the attempted illegal coup by the violent military junta.
    After the military junta led by the military leader Min Aung Hlaing launched an attempted coup on 1 Feb 2021, people from all around the country including those living in Karenni State took to the street and joined the peaceful protests, calling for the abolishment of the 2008 Constitution, formation of a federal union and the return of power to its original owner, the people of the country. Just because of participation in peaceful protests, the people of Karenni State were subjected to violent crackdowns, including beatings, arrests, imprisonment, and even being shot and killed. As a result, a widespread public revolution emerged among the people.
    The current people’s revolution in Karenni State represents the greatest unity seen so far and carries a clear and strong political vision, moving toward a significant opportunity to rebuild a successful political and military foundation.
    For many years, military and political rights were lost due to differences among ethnic groups and other groups within Karenni State. During the current revolutionary period, despite the diversity in ethnicity, religion, ideologies, and differing strategies, the revolutionary forces are carefully balancing on these differences, continuously building unity, mutual understanding, trust, and reconciliation to fulfill the hope of the people.
    With the political ambition for Karenni State in self-determination, stability, and development within the union with self-governance owned by its people with the political objectives such as the abolition of the 2008 Constitution, the eradication of military dictatorship and all forms of authoritarianism, adopting the Karenni state constitution, and building of a Federal Democratic Union, the Karenni State Consultative Council(KSCC) was established on April 9, 2021. Then, on June 12th, 2023, according to the political leadership and policy guidelines of KSCC, the Karenni State Interim Executive Council(IEC) was formed and aimed:
- To carry out the executive functions of the interim state government through collective leadership,
- To ensure checks and balances between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, and to bring about peace and stability within Karenni State and
- To enhance closer and practical cooperation with different revolutionary forces located in Karenni State.
    The Interim Executive Council of Karenni State (IEC) aims to protect the lives and property of its people, to deliver public services, and to fulfill the fundamental needs of the people, including education, health, food, and other necessities. The IEC will develop short-term and long-term plans to mobilize revolutionary forces and provide adequate protection for the people. Public services will also be served in a more coordinated approach. Current police departments and retention jails will also be managed more effectively to maintain and promote the rule of law. Moreover, the IEC is engaged with the revolutionary forces from within the country as well as abroad, and works in close collaboration with the CRPH, NUCC, and NUG that are striving for the establishment of a federal democratic union.
    The IEC consisted of 6 six Supreme Council members and expected that at least 12 state affairs departments would be set up. Currently IEC structure consists of the following eleven departments to effectively carry out services for the people of Karenni State.
- Department of Home Affairs,
- Department of Education,
- Department of Health,
- Department of Humanitarian and Rehabilitation,
- Department of Planning, Finance and Taxation,
- Department of Women and Child,
- Department of Justice,
- Department of Trade, Investment, Transportation and Communication,
- Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation,
- Department of Construction,
- Department of Youth Affairs and
- Department of Defense.
(The Department of Land and Environment is being expanded to form.)
    During this revolutionary period, the Interim Executive Council and the state-level departments were established to systematically manage the state’s tax revenues and treasury funds, in accordance with the guidelines and policies of the Karenni State Consultative Council, to serve the interests of civil servants and benefit the public. We invite the dedicated civil servants participating in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), knowledgeable professionals, and the entire public to join hands and collaborate with us in solidarity and support with IEC.
    The Karenni Interim Executive Council (IEC) will work with all forces across the Union to achieve a transition to a new political system within the state and the Union. The Interim Executive Council (IEC) will be following the term of office set by the new Karenni State government upon its establishment. At the time when the new Karenni government emerges through our own self-determination, the Interim Executive Council will be dissolved under the designated term and timeframe.
    Karenni State will work towards bringing the transformative change in the current deteriorating state of the country, either in collaboration with other federal units or by joining forces with all groups striving to build a Federal Union across the entire country.
    According to the value of IEC, we commit to doing our best, applying all our strength and knowledge in building a new Union country where everyone is treated equally, has justice, and the right to self-determination.
Interim Executive Council of Karenni State (IEC)
