The Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) has issued a statement saying that Chairman of the State Administration Council and Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing’s invitation to the peace talks would be welcomed if it is aimed at addressing the current general political crisis and establishing a federal union.

The comment was inserted in the statement of the Third Council Congress of the RCSS.

The RCSS held the 22nd Annual General Meeting from January 11 to 15 and the Third Council Congress on January 16 and 17 at its headquarters in Loi Tai Leng, Shan State.

At the 22nd AGM, respective departments reported on their activities over the past one-year period and a review was made. At the congress also, RCSS chairman General Yawd Serk presented a report of the council’s four years of activities, the statement says.  

During the congress, the participants re-elected General Yawd Serk as chairman and chose advisers, member of the central executive committee and heads of the respective departments. Future work plans for next four years were adopted.

The statement says a preparatory meeting will be held soon to draft a constitution of Shan State in accord with the Shan State federal principle accepted by all in view of national unity through Shan State unity. Moreover, RCSS will stop fighting with other ethnic Shan armed groups to avoid people’s sufferings and human rights violations and prevent Covid-19 spread and seek solutions to the problem by engaging in dialogue.   

In its statement, the RCSS says it welcomes any efforts to address the ongoing political crisis and the activities of the international community including ASEAN and the UN and will cooperate with them. Moreover, the Commander-in-Chief’s invitation to the peace talks will be welcomed if it intends to address the political crisis and establish a federal union, the statement points out.