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The old campaigner, however, has refused to retire and is clinging to his position as defense minister. Such is the regard in which Bo Mya is held, his reluctance to be pushed upstairs is politely tolerated by his peers.

 

Indeed, time is catching up with most of the Karen leadership. Bo Mya’s successor as KNLA commanding officer, Gen Mu Tu, is understood to have stayed away from the Revolution Day ceremony because he could not bear the indignity of seeing Bo Mya being pushed around in a wheelchair. KNU president Ba Thin Sein, 79, was too ill to attend the ceremony, sending only a speech to be read on his behalf. Vice President Tamla Baw is already 85. Only Mahn Sha, now 62, could reasonably be expected to have a significant role to play in the KNU’s future.

 

With a distinct lack of new blood, both the political and military wings of this resilient movement know tough times tie ahead.