For the first time in the history of Myanmar, the Lisu Youth Congress reportedly has been formed for federal democracy and eradication of the military dictatorship.
The Lisu Youth Congress was formed on December 4, 2023, by young people from the Lisu ethnic group, Dee Jar Fish, general secretary of the Lisu Youth Congress-LYC, said.
“Throughout Myanmar’s political history, there has never been a political Lisu Youth Congress. One of the things that can be misunderstood about the formation of the congress is that we must fight for the self-determination of the Lisu people, but we do not mean secession from the Kachin ethnic group. We are tribes of the Kachin ethnic people. But even though we are members of the Kachin ethnic group, I mean that we must get the rights we deserve as a tribe,” said LYC Secretary General Dee Jar Fish.
It reportedly tried to form the Lisu Youth Congress after the military coup, but it was not able to be formed, and it was delayed due to the forceful arrests of the military junta.
Dee Jar Fish said that the Lisu Youth Congress is currently conducting political activities with more than 20 members and is preparing to work together with alliance members.
“We are trying to become a national Lisu Youth Congress. The equality, the right to self-determination, and the basic existence for all the Lisu people will be achieved only after we fight for our dignity. That is why we would like to urge the Lisu youth to join the Lisu Youth Congress and we will work hard on this,” he said.
An official of the General Strike Committee (GSC) says, “We warmly welcome the emergence of the Lisu Youth Congress (LYC) and believe that the Lisu ethnic group would be able to achieve their right to self-determination.”
“There are many Lisu youths who are following the armed path. There are Lisu Units in the Kachin PDFs in every area. Some youths are armed on a self-help basis in South Shan and North Shan. However, the Lisu Youth Congress (LYC) will work on a non-violent path. We welcome the Lisu Youth for taking a political path. As for GSC, we do not mean that we accept the armed path at all, but we fully support it,” he said.
Currently, the Lisu Youth Congress is carrying out political activities and has stated that the environmental damage in the Lisu area should be effectively maintained.
