Acting President Duwa Lashi La calls for perseverance on fifth anniversary of People’s Defence Force

Mizzima

National Unity Government (NUG) Acting President Duwa Lashi La marked the fifth anniversary of the People’s Defence Force (PDF) on 5 May, by calling on resistance forces to maintain their resolve despite the “highs and lows” of the ongoing Spring Revolution.

“We are confronting numerous political challenges and are also experiencing frequent military setbacks. The nature of a revolution involves both highs and lows, including times when progress means taking two steps forward and one step back,” said Duwa Lashi La.

Despite these fluctuations, he urged the PDF not to overlook the realities on the ground, but to continue overcoming obstacles with determination and perseverance until they achieve the goal envisioned by the people.

He noted that, despite achieving unprecedented successes in the history of armed resistance throughout this difficult revolutionary journey, the PDF has not yet reached its ultimate goal.

He also stressed that, while PDF members are currently fighting as revolutionaries, they must be prepared to take on the role of “nation-builders” in the post-revolution period, contributing to the establishment of a new federal democratic union.

To fulfil these responsibilities, Acting President Duwa Lashi La, instructed PDF members to strengthen their intellectual resilience and continue building a well-organized, disciplined army that the public can trust and rely on.

The NUG) also pledged that, as a genuine government of the people, it will keep fighting resolutely alongside the PDF until military rule is completely dismantled.

According to statements from the NUG’s Ministry of Defence, the PDF was established on 5 May 2021. Over the past five years, it has systematically formed 10 regional military commands, one division, and 360 battalions under a unified command structure nationwide.