A leadership delegation from the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army-South (RCSS/SSA-S) left today for a ten-day exposure trip to Switzerland, according to representatives from the organization.

This is the first such international trip for the RCSS/SSA-S, and is themed “Power Sharing and Federalism: Comparative Experiences.”

The delegation of 14, which includes RCSS/SSA-S commander-in-chief Lt.-Gen. Yawd Serk, advisors, and members of education, health, peace, foreign affairs and anti-narcotics departments, were invited to the country by the Swiss ambassador in Yangon. They hope to gain further insight into Switzerland’s federal government system—specifically, how power is allocated between a central government and the country’s 26 “cantons,” or states, and “communes,” or municipalities.

During stays in four cities—Bern, Geneva, Montreux and Murten—the delegation will also meet representatives from international NGOs and study Swiss departments of defense, development, economics, education and healthcare.

The visit overlaps with Burma’s Union Peace Conference (UPC) in Naypyidaw, where talks are being held from January 12-16. RCSS/SSA-S representatives said that while Lt.-Gen. Yawd Serk is in Switzerland, a negotiating team from the organization will still remain at the UPC.

The UPC was described by National League for Democracy (NLD) chairperson Aung San Suu Kyi as an “acknowledgement of the completion of the NCA [Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement].” The RCSS/SSA-S is one of Burma’s more than 20 ethnic armed organizations, and one of eight groups to sign the NCA.

While 700 participants are in attendance representing the government, parliament, military, political parties and ethnic armed groups, the conference has been boycotted by many non-signatories to the NCA, including another major Shan armed group—the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army-North (SSPP/SSA-N)—who were invited as observers.

SHAN reported earlier today that aspirations of secession from Shan State have been expressed by non-Shan ethnic nationalities at the conference, including Ta’ang and Wa delegations, making explorations of federalism particularly urgent, according to Khuensai Jaiyen, who hopes the study trip will benefit the state and country.

By STAFF / Shan Herald Agency for News (S.H.A.N)