SEA in Kachin State reorganizes, appoints new chairman

Published 14 May 2026

Tun Lin Aung (Myitkyina)

The Shan Ethnic Affairs Association (SEA), which is made up of representatives of the Shan ethnic groups in Kachin State, has been reconstituted with a new chairman, according to sources.

U Sai Myo Swe, the secretary of the SEA, said that due to security and political conditions, the event had not been held for almost four years, and now it has been held again.

A 38-member group was formed to reconvene, and five patrons of the five Shan ethnic groups and a nine-member steering committee led the election of a new chairman.

In addition, four old members, including U Sai Maung Aye as the new chairman of the SEA, and U Sai Myo Swe as the secretary, have also joined.

‘‘During the political turmoil, tens of thousands of Shan people in Myitkyina and the Bhamo-Myitkyina highways were lost their homes and properties. Since most Shan ethnic groups make their living from agriculture, almost all of them have lost their livelihoods. Even though the villages are not destroyed, youths are fleeing to the cities and remote areas for fear of being forcibly recruited by armed groups. The villagers are even worried that they will never be the same again. Now, as an organization, we are coming together to do what we can and can help,” he said.

The Kachin State-based SEA was formed in 2013 and has been involved in human rights violations against Shan ethnic groups in the state, disputes between Shan ethnic groups, and Shan ethnic issues.;

According to the 2014 census, Kachin State has a population of 1,889,441: 467,200 Burmese (29.2%), 377,600 Shan (23.8%), 303,520 Jinghpaw (18.97%), 112,000 Lisu (7%), 88,000 Rawang (5.5%), 53,280 Lawngwaw (3.5%), 45,200 Lashi (2.8%), 25,120 Zaiwa (1.57%), and 128,000 (8%) other ethnic groups.

Five Shan ethnic groups, namely the Tai Long, Tai Sa, Tai Khamti, Tai Le, and Tai Leng, live in Kachin State, and according to the government census, there are over 300,000 people living there. The former Shan Ethnic Affairs Minister stated that the population census is unstable due to the differences in ethnic names and definitions.

Kachin State is home to six Kachin ethnic groups, five Shan ethnic groups, Burmese, Chin, Naga, and Rakhine ethnic groups, as well as a large number of ethnic groups such as Chinese and Gurkha.