Abstract

Resolving the internal conflict between the central state and the ethnic nationalities in Myanmar is at the heart of the continued development of the country as a whole. However, a solution may require flexibility when it comes to defining the territorial integrity of the country and its national identity. This working paper examines the case of the Shan State Army – its origins, history and ceasefire agreements – in an effort to shed light on why the problem of lasting peace in Myanmar has seemed relatively intractable.