Allied armies of the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army - North (SSPP/SSA-N) attended the 54th anniversary of the founding of the Shan State Army (SSA), which was held at its Wan Hai headquarters in Kyethi Township in southern Shan State.
Representatives of the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army – South (RCSS/SSA-S), the United Wa State Army (UWSA), the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), also known as the Mongla Army, the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), and the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP) attended the ceremony.
“This year is unique. Our allied armies have attended [the ceremony]. Sai Sam from the UWSA, Col Sao Hseng La from the Mongla NDAA, Sai Khin Ohn from the White Tiger (SNDP) Party, and Col Sao Aung Mya from the RCSS/SSA-S attended [the ceremony]. The ceremony became bigger than we had expected. This shows the positive sign of our unity. We will get a good result,” said Lt-Col Sai Su, secretary 2 of the SSPP/SSA-N.
Around 4,000 people including the SSPP/SSA-N’s patron Gen Hsur Hten and officials attended the ceremony, which kicked off at 6:30 am on April 24.
“Who is from which party isn’t important. We merely need mutual understanding. It’s an important time for us now. It’s a very good sign that we are able to discuss with each other. In the past, it’s difficult to meet each other face to face. Now, we can come here to discuss or consult each other. Problems can be solved,” said Sai Nyunt Lwin, general secretary of the SNLD.
The SSPP/SSA-N was founded by Mahadevi Sao Nang Hearn Kham, wife of Yawnghwe (Nyaungshwe) Saopha Sao Shwe Thaik, in 1964.
