General Neda Mya, son of General Bo Mya, former leader of the Karen National Union, proclaimed himself president of the Republic of Kawthoolei and formed a government at U Gekee camp, Chugalee village, Chugalee subdistrict, Waley district, Myawaddy township, Karen State, Myanmar. He stated that this is the legitimate right of the Karen people under international law and universal human rights principles.
According to the declaration establishing the Kawthoolei government, General Neda Mya holds the position of president; Lieutenant General Soza Kepo is first vice president; Mr. David Takabo is second vice president; Mr. So Po Tuley is prime minister; and Mr. David Lawdoo serves as deputy prime minister and acting minister of defense initially.
General Neda said that from now on, the Karen people will seek freedom without subordination to Myanmar's military rule. The government will have a constitution, the Republic of Kawthoolei, and a cabinet responsible for various affairs. Coordination with other minority armed groups and those fighting for independence and democracy is considered a shared goal.
The Republic of Kawthoolei government stated in a declaration referencing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights that the people of Kawthoolei must undertake this significant action because they have been oppressed, discriminated against in all aspects of life, and subjected to a cold genocide for 77 years since 1949—one year after the country's independence following World War II—by Myanmar’s military rulers or dictators who have upheld ethnic supremacy.
General Neda Mya, serving as president, is the son of General Bo Mya, former chairman of the Karen National Union (KNU), commander of the Kawthoolei Army (KTLA), and former commander of the Karen National Defense Organization (KNDO).
General Neda Mya was removed from his position in 2022 by the KNU due to responsibility for the killing of 25 civilians. The KNU has no affiliation with the KTLA led by General Bo Mya, and the actions of this group have not been associated with the KNU since its inception.