EROs Profile

Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA – North)

Staff

ဇွန် 6, 2013

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Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA)

ssa-n logo

SUMMARY

Founded: April 24th ,1964, 1971

Headquarters: Wan Hai, Kyethi townships (Northern Shan State).

Active Regions: Northern Shan State – Namkham, Langkho, Thibaw, Kyaukme, Mine Shu, Tang Yan, Mongyai, Kyethi, Lashio.

Size: Over 10000

Chairman – Gen. Pang Fa

Vice Chairman – Lt. Gen. Khur Tai

General Secretary – Col. Kyaw Hla

The Shan State Army (SSA) was established in 1964 under the leadership of Sao Nang Hearn Kham, the wife of Sao Shwe Thaik of Nyaungshwe. In 1971, she established the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP). A ceasefire agreement was reached between the SSPP/SSA and the military government on September 2nd, 1989, but the Tatmadaw pressured the armed group to transform into a border guard force (BGF)during the 2010 political transition, which resumed armed conflict between the two sides.

The group was a member of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) during the peace process under the U Thein Sein administration. Although a state and union-level ceasefire agreement was reached between the group and the Tatmadaw in January 2015. The SSPP/SSA was not among the signatories to the NCA in October 2015. It had some clashes with the Tatmadaw and the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS/SSA) in its regions of control.

The SSPP/SSA is a member of the Federal Political Negotiation Consultative Committee (FPNCC) led by the United Wa State Army (UWSA). There have been some talks with Tatmadaw representatives, but no signs of peace have been seen. There have been clashes between SSPP/SSA and RCSS/SSA, even though the group is a member of the Committee for Shan State Unity (CSSU), which is comprised of Shan political parties and civil society organisations (CSOs).

In 2020, at its plenary session of the annual Central Committee, a four-point roadmap was set to work for national unity in Shan State, and for the emergence of a genuine federal union that guarantees peace, equality and self-determination.

Following the February 2021 military coup, there were meetings between the SSPP/SSA and representatives of the SAC. The SSPP attended an informal meeting between members of the Northern Alliance and representatives of the SAC.

The SSPP/SSA is engaged in an armed conflict with the RCSS/SSA. At a meeting with the National Solidarity and Peace Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) in Nay Pyi Taw on March 13th, 2022, the SAC called for the withdrawal of some of the SSPP/SSA troops in southern Shan State. However, the SSPP Secretary (2) Colonel Sai Su responded to this demand, saying that his troops would not be withdrawn.

Ceasefires and Peace Process
7 th EAO to sign ceasefire agreement
Step 1 – State – Level Ceasefire Agreement (January 28, 2012)
Step 2 – Union – level ceasefire agreement (January 28, 2012)

Former Ceasefire Agreement
September 2, 1988

FIghting after Ceasefire
2012 – 130
2013 – 71 confrontations
2014 – 100+
2015 – 34 (Media Reports)
2016 – 10 (Media Reports)
2019 – 5 Clashes
Official Representative Team
rotating

Liaison Offices
1. Lashio
2. Taunggyi
3. Kho Lam
4. Muse (not yet opened)
5. Tachileik (Not Confirmed)

Alliances
UNFC, FUA, NCCT,
DPN member

Contact
Email: [email protected]

Ceasefire & Peace Process

7th Ceasefire signing group.
Stage 1: State level ceasefire 28 Jan 2012
Stage 2: Union level peace talks (28 Jan. 2012)
Previous ceasefire: September 02, 1989
# Post-Ceasefire Clashes:
2012: 130
2013: 71 clashes
2014: 100+
2015: 34 (media record)
2016: 10 (media record)

Leader: Lt.Gen Pang Fa

Official delegation team

Rotational

Liaison offices

1. Lashio
2. Taung Gyi
3. Kho Lam
4. Muse (not opened)
5. Tachileik (unconfirmed)
Alliances: UNFC, FUA, NCCT,
DPN member

Alliances: UNFC, FUA, NCCT,
DPN member

Contact:
Website:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SSPPSSA-459567954219825/
Email: [email protected], sspp.hq@gmail.com
Phone: (95) 090949579983,
0949579903

Meetings

#	Date	Location	Armed Group Rep	Govt Rep	Details
1	29/10/2012	Naypyidaw	Sao Naw Lake	Aung Min	SSPP/SSA asked the government to withdraw the Myanmar military from 4 locations around Wanhai. The government said they will consider their request. Other govt delegates included: MP Thein Zaw
2	28/01/2012	Taunggyi	Col Khun Hseng	Aung Thaung	tate and Union Level Other SSA-N delegates: Sao Kherh Tai Other govt delegates: Col Aung Thu, Minister for Security and Border Affairs, and 4 others from the Shan state Government
3	22/06/2012	Mandalay	Unknown	Unknown	A emergency meeting following heavy fighting between the SSA and Myanmar military that started on June 17, 2012. The government agreed to withdraw from two of SSPP/SSA military bases. The bases include: Kunnamile and Loi Pha Pheung in Monghsu Township, southern Shan state.
4	10/10/2012	Northeastern military headquarters, Lashio	Khun Hseng	Aung Min	Both sides agreed to cooperate on a new village for families of the SSPP/SSA and internally displaced persons (IDPs). The arrangements were made in exchange for the release of Myanmar military soldiers who were being held by SSPP/SSA. The government donated 1,000 sacks of rice and 2 hand-push tractors to for the development of the village. Other govt delegates included::Thein Zaw, Shan State Chief Minister Sao Aung Myat, Brig-Gen Aung Soe, Brig-Gen Min Naung, Deputy Ministers Maj-Gen Zaw Win, Ohn Than and Aye Myint Maung, Deputy Attorney-General Tun Tun Oo. Mediator (govt):: Hla Maung Shwe
5	31/10/2012	Kho Lam, central-east military command HQ in Shan state	Khun Hseng	Central-east military command commander Gen. Min Naung	An agreement was made on the following: SSPP/SSA will open a liaison office in Kho Lam, SSPP camp does not need to move from Ta-Sampu boat port area, allowed to explore lead and ruby in Mong Shu area. Other SSA-N delegates:Sao Naw Lek, Sai Kyaw Win, Maj. Khur Mao Other govt delegates:G1 Myo Htut Oo, Maj. Ye Yint Win, Maj. Kaung Kyaw (intelligence)
6	21/02/2013	Lashio	Major Naw Lae and the group’s	Northeastern Regional Military Commander General Aung Soe	“ Discussed recent skirmishes – On Tuesday and Wednesday clashes escalated after government troops “suddenly” attacked the SSA-N Battalion 192 base at Loila and even launched artillery attacks on the hilltop, Sai La alleged. “
7	03/04/2013	Lashio, Shan State	U Khun Hseng	U Khin Maung Soe (minister of electric power no.2), U Win Myint (minister of trade and commerce) and myanmar military high ranking officials	At the meeting, SSPP/SSA claimed Myanmar army’s columns must draw back from SSA’s controlled area. Even though SSPP/SSA claimed myanmar army’s columns to draw back, representatives from myanmar government didn’t give any concrete clear answer about it. However, government’s representatives promised they would inform about the SSPP’s claims to president.
8	11/05/2013	Tangyang town in northern Shan state	Sao Kherh Tai (vice-chairman), Sao Kam Maing (liaison office), Sao Aung Hla (liaison office), Sao Kham Maung (CC), Sao Shwe Hla (Sec), Sao Naw Lek	U Thein Zaw (vice-chairman of UPWC), Ministers U Win Myint, U Khin Maung Soe, U Kyaw Kyaw Win, Sao Aung Myat (Shan state chief minister), Gen Than Htut Oo (triangle command), Brig. Gen. Min Naung (central east command), Brig. Gen. Aung Soe (northeast command), Col Aung Thu (Shan state border affairs), Col. Soe Win (from defence ministry), U San Shwe Aung (border affairs ministry)	They discussed many issues including the armed conflicts between SSPP/SSA and govt forces and refugees and IDPs resulting from the clashes. Both sides agreed: to follow the agreement in Taung-gyi city in Jan 2012; to solve the problems by using peace peaceful method if they have some problems; both sides should not do any work if it’s overloaded on people; to meet with military officials for discussion about demarcation the controlled area. Even though both parties agreed to meet again in Taung-gyi city but they could not announce the exact schedule for the next round of peace talks. SSPP/SSA and government forces had over 100 times of battles after they signed a ceasefire agreement 1 year ago. They agreed 4 points.
9	13/07/2013	Lashio city	SSPP/SSA	UPWC	A delegation led by Vice-Chairman of Union Peace-making Work committee U Thein Zaw held talks with a peace group led by U Sao Khun Hsai, General Secretary of SSPP/SSA (Wamheng) of Shan State (North) at Shweli Hall of North-East Command Headquarters yesterday.The vice-chairman and party held discussions with the peace group on cementing already established peace and stability, trust , disciplinary procedures and friendship and called on SSPP/SSA to make necessary preparations for advancing to a political dialogue.
10	06/09/2013	Lashio	SSPP/SSA	Shwe Mann, Thein Zaw and MPs	Informal meeting
11	20/09/2013	Taunggyi	RCSS, SSPP, PNLO	U Aung Min (UPWC)	Informal meeting This is an informal meeting between UPWC and RCSS, SSPP, and PNLO in Taunggyi city. U Aung Min and delegations from RCSS, SSPP and PNLO attend the Shan-Kayah-Mon state Trust Building Conference holds on 21-23 Sept 2013. RCSS seems to discuss about the recent clahes betwenn RCSS and Myanmar army in southern Shan state.
12	08/07/2014	Naypyitaw	General Secretary Col Khun Sai, and 11 representatives	Thein Zaw, UPWC Vice Chairman	Informal meeting U Thein Zaw invited SSPP representatives to discuss over an recent tension,
13	25/08/2014	Naypyitaw	NDAA-ESS, U San Pay (Vice chairman) , UWSA – Shao Min Lian (Vice Chairman), SSPP/SSA Gen Khae Taine vice chairman	President Thein Sein	Informal meeting
14	25/08/2014	Naypyitaw	SSPP/SSA Gen Khur Tai (vice chairman)	Commander In Chief, Min Aung Hlaing	Informal meeting
15	26/08/2014	Naypyitaw	NDAA-ESS, U San Pay (Vice chairman) , UWSA – Shao Min Lian (Vice Chairman), SSPP/SSA Gen Khur Tai vice chairman	Parliament Speaker Shwe Mann, Khin Aung Myint	Informal meeting

Developments

SSPP agreed to negotiations after the government released their leader General Hso Ten and other leading Shan politicians including Khun Htun Oo.

Agreed points:

Ceasefire

Liaison offices will open in Taunggyi, Lashio and Kholan. More offices will be allowed to be opened in other locations. Panglong terms – non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty at all times based on the Panglong spirit.

Military

Agreed that SSPP/SSA soldiers be allowed to be based in Wanhai and other temporary locations.
Transgression and arms carrying will be allowed under negotiation between both sides.
Will continue talks for ensuring regional peace, stability and development, enabling the troops to earn their living and ensuring lasting peace in the region.

Drugs

Cooperation on eradicating drugs.

Resettlement

Arrangements for improvement of the livelihood and social life of Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) members and their families in line with the law and in cooperation with the government.

Resettlement of over 3500 people including SSPP/SSA family members to Mong Kaung sub-Township and Mongshu Township. They also discussed responsibilities for the livelihoods of family members, transportation, better living standards. Also on the agenda were regional development tasks and recuperation of vacant and virgin lands for cultivation of long-lasting trees and seasonal crops.

Ongoing issues:

working out details for a new village for 350 families in the Honam-Tawng Hio area.
the govt refuses to discuss ongoing conflicts along the Shwe gas pipeline in northern Shan State. Neither did the two sides talk about Ta Hsarm Pu dam over the Pang river – the Myanmar military demanded the SSPP/SSA to withdraw from the area
more communication needed with Myanmar army regional commanders to avoid future clashes with SSPP/SSA

Clashes + Ceasefire Breaches

Since ceasefire: >40 clashes

Langhko, Kyauk Mae, Hsipaw, Mong Mit (Mong Ngoe), Monghsu, Kayse, Tangyan, in northern Shan State

Before ceasefire: 30,000 displaced (esp. from Kehsi/Kyethi and Monghsu Townships)#

Partnerships

Shan Conference named “ Trust building for peace” held in Taw-win-ninsi hall, Shwegontai, Yangon on Nov. 26, 2012. Minister Aung Min, chief negotiator, gave the opening speech. Minister Aung Min and Minister Soe Thein attended the meeting. About 150 Shan representatives (SNLD, SNDP, TNDP, RCSS/SSA-S, SSPP/SSA-N, NDAA) and others attended the meeting.