Although details of yesterday’s meeting between visiting U Aung Thaung, Naypyitaw chief negotiator, and Xiao Minliang, Wa Vice President, are still sketchy, most junior members of the United Wa State Party (UWSP), the political wing of the United Wa State Army (UWSA), think the party should enter the upcoming by-elections, according to sources from the Wa territory.
“Of course, our elders might have different idea,” said a township executive member.
According to the 2008 constitution, the Wa Self-Administered Division (SAD) has 6 townships, 4 under UWSA control and 2 under the Burma Army control:
UWSA Burma Army
Mong Mai (Mong Mau) Hopang
Pangwai Markmang (Metman)
Napharn
Panghsang
The UWSA, then still under Naypyitaw pressure to accept the controversial Border Guard Force (BGF) program, had boycotted the 2010 elections. As a result, elections for the Upper, Lower and State legislatures were held only in Hopang and Markmang.
The results were as follows:
| National Assembly | Hsai Pao Nub | Wa | WDP | Shan State # 12 |
| People's Assembly | Kyin Wan Ai Yawn Mon |
Kokang Wa |
WDP WDP |
Hopang Markmang |
| State Assembly | Khun Tun Marie (Ms) Khun Tun Lu Sai Hla Pe |
Wa Lahu Wa Shan |
WDP LNDP WDP WDP |
Markmang (1) |
WDP=Wa Democratic Party
LNDP=Lahu National Development Party
Khun Tun Lu, formerly a member of military-proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), became Head of the Wa SAD.
The Wa SAD will bring 12 more seats for itself, if the UWSP decides to contest for the seats. The date of the by-elections is yet to be announced.
| People's Assembly | State Assembly | |
| Mongmai Pangwai Napharn Panghsang |
1 1 1 1 |
2 2 2 2 |
| Total | 4 | 8 |
U Aung Thaing and his delegation arrived at Panghsang on the Sino-Burmese border in two Husky helicopters. They left on the same day to Kengtung, according to the sources.
SHAN had tried to contact U Aung Myint aka Li Julie, Head of the Wa Central Office who acted as the interpreter, and Xiao Hsarm Khun, Deputy Head of the External Relations Department. The former was unavailable and the latter said he was not part of the Wa delegation that met U Aung Thaung.
Other sources have asked SHAN to call them again this evening. (SHAN office will be closed beginning tomorrow, 28 December 2011, to 1 January 2012)
