United Wa State Party (UWSP)

Alliances

National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Shan State Progressive Party/Shan State Army (SSPP), Arakan Army (AA), Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), Karenni Army (KA)

Political Organization

United Wa State Party (UWSP)

The UWSP has a Central Committee that sets the organization’s policies. A government body named the “Wa State People’s Government” exists to implement these policies and carry out local administrative functions.​

History in Brief

Established – April ​​17, 1989

Headquarters – Pangsang (Panghkam) town

Areas of operation – Pangsang (Panghkam), Mong Maw, Mongma, Pangwaun, Narphan, Mong Pawk, Mong Yang, Hopang, Matman, Tangyan, Mong Kai, Lawksawk, Mong Tong, Mong Hsat, Tachileik, Mong Pan and Mongyang Townships

Estimated strength – Over 45,000

Leaders – Bao Youxiang (Chairperson), Zhao Guoan (Vice-Chairperson), Bao Aikang (Vice-General Secretary), Zhao Zhongtang (Chief of Staff)

The UWSA is the most powerful ethnic armed organization in Myanmar. Before the UWSA was established, Wa commanders Zhao Nyi-Lai and Bao Youxiang were commanders under the Communist Party of Burma (CPB). On April 17, 1989, the UWSA was formed following a coup against CPB headquarters in Pangsang.

After the UWSA was established, Wa leaders signed a ceasefire agreement with the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) military junta regime. The junta designated the area where the UWSA operated as Shan State Special Region-2. Wa leaders then began establishing their own regional administration, free from the central government’s interference. Discussions have been held to formally elevate Wa to the status of a state, but successive regime governments have not been accommodating.

In Chapter 2, Section 56(f) of the 2008 Constitution, promulgated under Snr. Gen. Than Shwe, Hopang, Mongmao, Pangwaun, Narphan, Matman, and Pangsang Townships in Shan State are divided into two districts collectively designated as the Wa Self-Administered Division. The constitution also includes several safeguards to prevent the easy creation of new states.

Within the Wa Self-Administered Division, as prescribed by the constitution, the central government and military can only exercise control over a portion of Hopang and Matman Townships, while the rest of the territory is under direct UWSA control. However, from October to December 2023, during Operation 1027, led by the Three Brotherhood Alliance (3BHA), the 3BHA captured the entirety of Hopang Township and handed it over to its ally, the UWSA.

Hopang Township includes the two towns of Hopang and Pan Lon. The UWSA took control over the entire area without any bloodshed, and on January 10, 2024, a ceremony was held to formally hand over administration from the central government. Hopang was also designated as a district-level town of the UWSA.

Under the UWSP/UWSA’s administration, the Wa State comprises the Northern and Southern Wa Regions. The Northern Region consists of four districts: Monglin (Waing Kong) District, Mongmao District, Mong Pawk District, and Hopang District. Pangsang (Pangkham) and Namtit are administered as two special townships. The combined population across these areas is estimated at 550,000. The Northern Wa Region of UWSA-controlled territory borders China and is an important part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China has plans to build an economic zone in the Wa Namtit Special Township.

Southern Wa, also known as Military Region 171, in eastern Shan State, is nestled along the Myanmar-Thailand border. The UWSA administration in Southern Wa is divided into seven Districts which include the important areas of Tachilek Township, Mong Hsat Township, Mongton Township, Hui Aw District, and Ponparkyin town. The population of Southern Wa is estimated at over 100,000.

The territories of both Northern and Southern Wa and the UWSA are governed by the UWSP Central Committee, which sets policies and issues commands. The UWSP has supreme authority across the entire Wa region. UWSP policy is formulated by its permanent Central Committee and the Central Working Committee. Neither Myanmar’s central government nor the constitution recognizes the Wa region as a State. However, the UWSP refers to their region as “Wa State.” The administrative body that governs the region is also called the “Wa State People’s Government.”

The Wa State People’s Government is responsible for administration, the judiciary, health, education, media, construction, agriculture, irrigation and farming, forestry, minerals, and religious affairs, and its police department is responsible for local law enforcement.

The UWSA is the most financially strong ethnic armed organization, with revenue derived from operations in tin mining, rare earths, casinos, and other businesses in Northern Wa. The Wa State also generates revenue from growing rubber in Southern Wa for export to China via the Mekong River.

However, hotel businesses based in the Wa regions have been linked to online scamming and human trafficking, which have threatened human security across Southeast Asia. Since 2023, China has taken steps to crack down on these businesses. In October 2023, China arrested UWSA Deputy Commander-in-Chief Bao Junfeng. The UWSA continues to assist China by arresting Chinese nationals working in online scam operations in the Wa regions, and extraditing them to China.

Mission and Objectives

No data available

Leaders and Central Committee Members

UWSP

1	Bao Youxiang	General Secretary (Central Committee Member)
2	Bao Aikang	Vice General Secretary (Central Committee Member)
3	Zhao Zhongtang	Central Committee Member
4	Zhao Guoan	Central Committee Member
5	Bao Youliang	Central Committee Member

Wa State People’s Government

1	Bao Youxiang	Chairperson
2	Bao Youliang	Vice Chairperson
3	Zhao Guoan	Vice Chairperson

UWSA

1​	Bao Youxiang	Commander-in-Chief
2	Zhao Zhongtang	Deputy Commander-in-Chief (Chief of Staff)
3	Bao Ai Chan	Deputy Commander-in-Chief

Ceasefire and Peace Process

Military regime-era ceasefire – 18 May 1989

State-level peace agreement – 6 September 2011

Union-level peace agreement – 25 December 2011

Organization Participation

UWSP is the chair of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC)

Political and Military Positions since the Coup

The UWSP/UWSA has not criticized the military coup or expressed its position on it. However, they have suspended formal talks on the ceasefire agreement and political issues that were being discussed during the NLD government term.

After the coup, on April 7, 2022, the UWSP/UWSA  met with the SAC Peace Negotiation Committee and the Commander of Special Operations Forces No. 2, Lt. Gen. Khin Zaw Aye, in Matman Seng, on the border of areas controlled by each side.

On February 12, 2022, the UWSP/UWSA sent a delegation to Naypyitaw to celebrate the 75th anniversary Union Day Ceremony held by the SAC.

During the military takeover, the UWSA provided military support to its northern allies and participated in the offensive to drive out the forces of the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS/SSA) from northern Shan State.

The UWSA has strengthened security in allied areas that link the UWSA and the Shan State Army/Shan State Progress Party (SSPP). When the SAC requested the withdrawal of three SSPP bases in Mong Hsu Township, the UWSA, together with the SSPP, helped make preparations to defend. 

Despite military frictions, the UWSA has accepted SAC invitations for political talks and has been to Naypyitaw for meetings. The UWSA has used these meetings to make requests for elevating the Wa self-administered zone to the status of a state. The SAC agreed to support the Wa side in discussions after an election was held and parliament was formed.

On July 2, 2024, during Operation 1027’s second wave, the UWSA entered Tangyan, citing the need to provide security to Tangyan. They remain deployed in Tangyanuntil this day, with SAC permission.

Liaison Offices

Liaison offices have been opened in Lashio, Tangyan, Kengtung, Tachileik and Taunggyi in Shan State and also in Yangon and Mandalay Regions.

Brigades

The Northern Wa Region, where the headquarters is based, comprises four brigades: Brigade 318, Brigade 418, Brigade 468, and Brigade 618.

The Southern Wa Region or Military Region 171, located on the Myanmar-Thailand border, comprises five brigades: Brigade 248, Brigade 518, Brigade 771, Brigade 775, and Brigade 778.

After 2021, a new Brigade 701 was formed as the Brigade for Securing the West Bank of Salween. 

Contact Information

Website: https://www.facebook.com/WaStateTV2011318/ 

Phone: U Nyi Rang (Head of Lashio Liaison Office) – 09402710399 (Viber)

Wechat ID – n015433