Two Shan armed groups have initiated the release of political prisoners following a peace agreement, marking a significant development after years of conflict in Shan State. In late November, the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) and the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) reached a nine-point consensus.

Following this, RCSS/SSA’s Col Aung Mya released two prisoners on December 12, and SSPP/SSA’s second secretary Col Sai Hsu freed five prisoners ten days later, providing them with travel funds.

SSPP/SSA released RCSS/SSA prisoners who had been arrested in Kyaukme and Pinlon Township during previous clashes. Conversely, RCSS/SSA’s Tai Freedom reported that the prisoners they released were arrested in Mong Nawng town, accused of maintaining affiliation with SSPP/SSA.

In September, RCSS had already released three SSPP soldiers detained from Mong Pyin town before the ceasefire agreement, according to the media outlet.

Both Shan armed groups officially declared their ceasefire on Shan New Year Day, which fell on December 13 this year. According to the agreement, the Shan armies will maintain their current deployments without intruding into each other’s areas, conduct talks every two months, resolve differences through discussion, and refrain from exploiting the ceasefire.

Leaders of RCSS/SSA have engaged in discussions with regime leaders regarding the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), of which they are still part of. SSPP/SSA, not a signatory to the NCA, has also attended some of its own meetings with the ruling State Administration Council (SAC).

Neither of the Shan groups have participated in the recent uprising against SAC, led by Northern Brotherhood Alliance, in northern Shan State. This 1027 Operation has witnessed the capture of hundreds of regime bases and several towns along the China border. However, SSPP has provided assistance to villagers displaced by clashes during the operation, which commenced on October 27.