The Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) founded by the late Shan State Army (SSA) leaders in 1971 has been quietly restored by the SSA-North faction that had refused to transform itself into a Burma Army administered militia force, according to sources from the Sino-Burma border.

“It was discussed in length before the re-establishment,” said the source close to the leadership. “The secretary general is (Maj-Gen) Sao Pangfa (former commander of the 1st Brigade).”

The source said SHAN could expect a copy of the complete resolutions of the month-long meeting in Wanhai, Kehsi township, which ended on 15 January in the coming days.

The party’s liaison mission on the Thai border is led by Lt-Col Perngfa.

The SSA North’s First Brigade that has spurned the ruling junta’s demand to go along with the Border Guard Force (BGF) program was also said to have re-formed the SSA North, with 5 new brigades, commanded by Sao Pangfa: 1st, 27th, 36th, 72nd and 74th with 3 battalions each.

The top leadership includes:
Pangfa
Sai Du
Naw Mong Long
Perng Fa
Hsai Mong
Kherh Tai
Ngao Fa
Zing Mong
Hsai Fa
Lao Her
Khun Hseng

One of the resolutions was to join the Committee for Emergence of Federal Union (CEFU) formed in November jointly by the Chin National Front (CNF), Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), Karen National Union (KNU), Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) and the New Mon State Party (NMSP).

The SSPP former leaders were:
Sao Seng Suk (President) and Sao Khun Loomfa aka Sao Hso Wai aka Chao Tzang Yawnghwe (Secretary General) – 1971-1977
Sao Peun Tai aka Boon Tai – 1977-81
Sao Hso Lane – 1981-83
Sao Hso Noom – 1983-84
Sao Sai Lake – 1984-95
The party went inactive after the death of Sao Sai Lake.

Note    The party’s name is, as explained by Chao Tzang Yawnghwe, the co-founder, is Shan State Progress Party and not Shan State Progressive Party.