[Tee tiong huat]

Myanmar’s Wa Rebels Launch Administration in Town Seized by Brotherhood Alliance. The United Wa State Party (UWSP) has launched its own administration in Hopang, one of two towns it took over in northern Shan State earlier this month.

The UWSP is the political wing of United Wa State Army (UWSA), Myanmar’s most powerful ethnic army. It runs the Wa State People’s Government in Wa Self-Administered Division. UWSP vice chair Luo Yagu has taken the helm of a working group to “generate effective governance” in the towns, according to a UWSP announcement.

Hopang and Panlong towns were seized by the Brotherhood Alliance on Jan. 5 following the surrender of over 700 junta soldiers. The alliance – comprising Arakan Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army – then handed over the two towns to its ally, the UWSA.

Although it retains a neutral stance and denies involvement in the alliance’s Operation 1027, the USWA is widely believed to have played a huge part in the anti-regime offensive in northern Shan State.The two towns were officially handed over to the UWSP in Hopang on January 10.

UWSP said the regime had finally agreed on January 4 to hand over the two towns after years of requests by the Wa State Govt. The transfer of the two towns expands Wa Self-Administered Division east of the Salween River on the border with China. On Monday, Luo Yagu visited Hopang Town Hall for the first time to meet locals and department staff, according to locals at the meeting.

“He said there would only be their party [the UWSP, in charge],” said a local who attended the meeting.

“He told us not to buy and sell property for now. It appears that they will levy taxes later. As Luo Yagu is from Panghsang, [USWP’s] Mongmao district secretary will mainly handle the administration of the town. Though the administration has changed, things are normal.”
https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/mya...iance.html