Thirteen ethnic political parties based in Shan State last Thursday formed a new alliance aimed at promoting Shan State unity, according to Sai Ai Pao, the chairman of the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), which led the motion to form the coalition.

Of 18 ethnic political parties in Shan State, thirteen have joined the new League for Shan State Ethnic Political Parties (LSSEP), said Sai Ai Pao.

“ We invited all 18 parties to join,” he said. “At the first meeting, 13 parties attended. But at this meeting, only 10 parties were represented. However, we still welcome the absent parties to join us.”

The SNDP chairman said he also wanted to urge all groups and individuals in Shan State – civil society organizations, political parties, and members of parliament both at union and state levels – to join the new coalition.

“ As the second national conference is slated for February, we have to start working and making preparations together,” he explained.

“ This is a critical time for our Shan State,” he said.

According to Tun Naing, the leader of the Kokang Democracy and Unity Party, which has joined the coalition, all ethnic parties in Shan State have a responsibility to support unity in Shan State.

“ If we all just worked independently, it would be impossible to reach our goals,” he said. “We must work together to achieve our aims.”

According to an LSSEP statement issued on November 4, only eight signatories had officially joined the coalition.

The 18 parties based in Shan State are: Shan Nationalities Democratic Party, Lahu National Development Party, Kokang Democracy and Unity Party, Inn National League, Danu National Organization Party , Federal Union Party , Danu National Democracy Party, Pa-O National Organization, Lisu National Development Party, Inn National Development Party, Wa National Unity Party, Ta’ang (Palaung) National Party, Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, Wa Democratic Party, Eastern Shan State Development Democratic Party, Akha National Development Party, Union Pa-O National organization, and Shan State Kokang Democratic Party.