Representatives of the Committee for Shan State Unity (CSSU) held a meeting on Sunday to explore solutions to the armed conflict between the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army-South (RCSS/SSA-S) and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).

Sai Htoo, a representative from the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), a coalition of 11 ethnic armed organizations of which the TNLA is a member, said that various issues were discussed during the meeting.

“We discussed the future development of Shan State and the problem between the RCSS/SSA-S and the TNLA,” he said.

The meeting was attended by fifteen representatives including Lt. Gen. Yawd Serk, chairman of the RCSS/SSA-S, Gen. Sao Hso Ten, a representative from the SSPP/SSA-N, Sai Htoo, a UNFC representative and Sai Nyunt Lwin, the general secretary of the SNLD.

Recent clashes between the two groups led to the displacement of more than 2,000 civilians in Kyaukme Township; fighting has been ongoing since late November.

“We will work hand in hand in order to solve the problem,” Sai Htoo said.

The CSSU comprises the Shan State Joint Action Committee (SSJAC), which represents the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP), the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), the Seng Kiao’s People Militia, the New Generation Group (Shan State), Shan Youth Association, Shan Nationality Organization-Thailand, the Shan community-based organizations and a team of legal consultants.

By SAI AW / Shan Herald Agency for News (S.H.A.N)