The Committee for Shan State Union (CSSU), a coalition of Shan political parties, Shan armed groups, and Shan social organizations is holding its third annual conference in Rangoon from 3 to 5 March.
Sao Pin Kham, the CSSU General Secretary, said: “We will discuss three main topics. First, we will elect a new chairman of the CSSU. Second, we will form a committee that will build bridges to unify ethnic people in Shan State. Next, we will discuss about how to join hands with the new government.”
CSSU Conference in Rangoon
Over 40 people are attending the conference, which is being held at the Micasa Hotel in Rangoon. They include the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) Chairman Khun Htun Oo, the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) Patron General Say Htin, the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) Chairman Lieutenant General Yawd Serk, Genera Kai Pha from Seng Kiao’s People’s Militia and the Union Institute Director U Khun Sai.
However, the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), also known as the White Tiger Party, did not send any representatives to attend the conference.
The CSSU was formed in northern Thailand in 2013 by the RCSS/SSA; the Shan State Joint Action Committee (SSJAC), which represents the SNLD and the SSPP; the Seng Kiao’s People’s Militia; and the SNDP.
Leaders from these three groups take it in turn to serve as CSSU chairman.
RCSS/SSA Chairman Lieutenant General Yawd Serk served as CSSU Chairman from 2015 to 2016. SNDP Chairman Sai Aik Pao took over from him and will serve as chairman from 2016 to 2017.
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI
