Following speculation that a change in leadership had taken place within the United Wa State Army (UWSA), an official of the Wa militia has responded, saying the rumors are false.
Speaking to Shan Herald on Monday under condition of anonymity, the UWSA official said that Bao Youxiang is still leader, and remains both commander-in-chief as well as general secretary of the party.
“There has been no change in the Wa leadership,” said the official. “Neither did elections take place to choose a new leader. Any such rumor is false.”
The UWSA source said the party had called a meeting on 9-13 January to discuss internal operations. However, he said, issues surrounding peace talks with the government – in particular the round of negotiations known as the 21st Century Panglong Conference (21CPC), which is next scheduled to convene in February – was not on the agenda during that meeting.
“There is no change towards the peace process as far as the Wa are concerned,” said the official.
The first round of the 21CPC was held in the Burmese capital in August last year, a colorful opening event featuring schoolchildren in traditional ethnic costumes and much fanfare. More than 700 delegates were present, representing the government, the military, political parties, ethnic armed organizations and civil society groups. The main discourse was to plan a framework for future peace talks, however Wa representatives caused a storm by walking out of the conference citing “inequality” at the talks.
The UWSA did not sign the NCA with the Thein Sein administration in October 2015. Based in Panghsang, along the Burma-China border, the Wa militia is widely regarded as the strongest ethnic army in Burma, with a troop strength estimated at up to 30,000.
