“We applied to the UNA because the UNA’s policy is the same as our policy. The policy on having a state for the Burmese and working together as a union are the same. In forming an alliance, we can only cooperate when we share the same policy. That’s why we have applied to become permanent member of the UNA.

The UNA was formed with eight registered ethnic parties. The National League for Democracy (NLD) is also an ally of the UNA.

“There are three groups formed with political parties in Myanmar. The NBF (Nationalities Brotherhood Federation) accepts the policy for 15 states. The FDA (Federal Democratic Alliance) doesn’t have a clear-cut policy. [The policy] is mixed up. As for the UNA, we share the same aim, policy, and goal, so I believe we can work together,” U Ngai Sak explained.

UNA member the Mon National Party’s Secretary Dr Min Kyi Win told the BNI Election Newsroom that the organization policy and rules and regulations of the UNA were approved during the meeting of its leaders held on December 29 and 30. The UNA’s leaders have decided at the meeting to inform six extern political parties whether or not they will be allowed to enter the UNA.

Among the parties that have applied for membership, the CLD has submitted an official letter while the Chin Progressive Party has only made a verbal request to become a member. Neither party won any seats in the recent national election. Currently, the Zomi Congress for Democracy (ZCD) is an UNA member and it won six seats during the election.

The NLD won the majority of seats in Chin State, followed by the ZCD, which is a local ethnic party, and the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).

Established on May 18, 2002, the UNA comprises the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (NLD), the Arakan National Party, the Mon National Party, the Karen National Party, the Kayan National Party, Shan State Kokang Democratic Party, Zomi Congress for Democracy, and the Kachin National Democracy Congress Party (KNDCP).