People's Government of Kokang

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People's Government of Kokang
(2011–2024)
Special Region 1
(2024–present)
Flag of People's Government of Kokang
  Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army
StatusRival government[1] and De-facto state[2]
CapitalLaukkai
Official languagesBurmese and Chinese[3]
GovernmentSelf-proclaimed government under martial law (as of 2024)[4]
Chairperson[5] 
• 2011–2022
Pheung Kya-shin
• Since 2022
Peng Daxun
EstablishmentMyanmar conflict
• Established
March 2011[a][6]
9 February 2015 – June 2015
15 November 2023 – 5 January 2024

The People's Government of Kokang[7] or since 2024 Special Region 1[b] is the self-proclaimed government of Kokang by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army.[6][8]

Background

In 1989 Peng Jiasheng's Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) took control of the region. A ceasefire between the group and the Tatmadaw was signed in the same year, the area controlled by MNDAA was assigned as the autonomous "First Special Region" of Shan State. Twenty year's later in 2009, the Tatmadaw asked that the MNDAA become a border guard under the army's direction, which the MNDAA refused, as response the Tatmadaw started a operation against the autonomous government.[9] The operation lasted from 20 August 2009 until 30 August 2009 and ended with a victory for the Tatmadaw and by members of the pro-junta MNDAA faction like Bai Suocheng.[10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Peng Jiasheng MNDAA loyalists fled to China.[17]

Later on the 30 August the government of Myanmar formed the "Kokang Region Provisional Leading Committee" in Laukkai to replace the autonomous area Special Region 1 of the Union of Myanmar.[18] On 20 or 27[19] August 2010 the Kokang area became the Kokang Self-Administered Zone, however, it was recognized as illegal by the MNDAA.[20][21]

Formation

The Republic of the Union of Myanmar issued a Presidential Decree No.22/2011, which officially established the Kokang Autonomous Region of Shan State of Myanmar or officially still called Kokang Self-Administered Zone in March 2011. The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army rejected the presidential decree and occupied mountainous areas in Kokang and proclaimed the People's Government of Kokang.[6]

Renaming

The People's Government of Kokang restored the Special Region 1 and adopted the name,[c] of the People's Government of Kokang.[22][23][24] In 2025 Kokang Special Administrative Region (SAR) was used also as name.[25][26]

Government

Government model

Sai Htay Aung described the model of the territory of the MNDAA as the same as the Wa State model.[27]

Public services

The People's Government of Kokang issues its own identification cards.[28]

Foreign relations

Reportedly Peng Daxun has relations with authorities of the People's Republic of China.[29][30][31]

Military

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army which is itself already a military group founded four brigades.[32]

  • Brigade 211 which is based in the headquarters area of the Hon Aing Mountain and the Konkyan Township
  • Brigade 311 operates in the Kunlong, Hseni, Kutkai, and Lashio regions
  • Brigade 511 operates in Monekoe Sub-Township and the Muse District
  • Brigade 611 operates in Lashio Township

Since May 2026, the MNDAA is recruiting new soldiers.[33]

Territorial development

Clashes in 2015

Clashes erupted on 9 February 2015 between the MNDAA the and the Tatmadaw, the conflict ended in June 2015.[34][35][36]

Capturing of Chinshwehaw

On 28 October 2023 it was reported that Chinshwehaw had come fully under control of the MNDAA.[37]

Capturing of Laukkai

Since the MNDAA began closing in onto Laukkai in November 2025, the city has seen a mass exodus.[38] In late November 2023, the MNDAA opened a humanitarian corridor for migrant workers in Laukkai to flee to Lashio through Laukkaing and Kunlong townships, and Wa state. The corridor was however not used for ethnic Kokang people. Many Kokangs fled towards the Chinese border, but had tear gas fired on them by the Chinese authorities.[39]

On 6 December, the MNDAA captured the strategic Four Buddhist Statues Hill after three days of fighting against the Tatmadaw. The pagoda is located on a hill overlooking Laukkai and was the junta's last outpost before Laukkai.[40][41]

On 15 December 2023, China mediated a temporary ceasefire between the Tatmadaw and the MNDAA in Kunming.[42] The ceasefire ended on 18 December after the junta launched airstrikes on a base controlled by the MNDAA.[43] Following this, the MNDAA captured the Yanlonkyaing border gate on the Chinese border north of Laukkai on 19 December.[44][45][46]

On 28 December 2023 it was reported that "most" of Laukkai was now under MNDAA control, with junta forces largely abandoning the city.[47]

On 1 January 2024, still when the battle was still ongoing, Peng Daxun adresssed in his New Year speech to "eradicate" online scam centres.[48]

The MNDAA gained full control of Laukkai following a mass surrender of the last junta forces in the city on 5 January 2024.[49][50] Other areas are jointly governed by the MNDAA and it's allies.

2025

On 18 April 2025, the MNDAA retreated out of Lashio[51][52] after taking it in 2024.[53][54][55]

In May 2025, the MNDAA and the government of Myanmar agreed that the Myanmar government wiol govern Lashio and the MNDAA it's surroundings.[56][57]

2026

In March 2026 the MNDAA took over Kutkai from its former ally Ta'ang National Liberation Army.[58][59][60] After taking the whole of Kutkai, they changed Ta'ang language signs into Chinese ones in April 2026,[61][62] the same month the MNDAA said that they won't interfere in the Kachin Independence Army administration in Namhpatkar.[63] In May 2026 it was reported that the MNDAA in its territory acts to establish Chinese dominance in Myanmar.[28][64] In June 2026, the MNDAA handed over 200 POW to Myanmar.[65]

Subdivision

Hongyan liberated areas
Subdivision
CountryPeople's Government of Kokang
Established2011
Government
 • LeaderUnknown (Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army)

Hongyan liberated areas

The People's Government of Kokang established in 2011 the Hongyan liberated areas in the northeastern part of Kokang.[6]

Administrative divisions of the SAR

After the MNDAA renamed it's territory in 2024, the areas were divided into four provinces:[22]

  • Kutkai Province[22]
  • Hsenwi Province[22]
  • Monekoe Province[22]
  • Laukkai Province[22]

Administrative divisions of Laukkai

After MNDAA regained control of Laukkai in 2024, the city was divided into three wards:[22]

  • Dongcheng Ward (东城区)[66]
  • Laukkai Ward (老街区)[67]
  • Jinxiangcheng Ward (金象城区)[68]

See also

Notes

  1. In March 2011, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar issued Presidential Decree No.22/2011, officially establishing the Kokang Autonomous Region of Shan State of Myanmar. However, MNDAA's remaining armed forces did not recognize the new government. They occupied some mountainous areas and established the People's Government of Kokang.
  2. Referring to the former Special Region 1 of the Union of Myanmar which existed from 1990 until 2009.
  3. Referring to the former Special Region 1 of the Union of Myanmar which existed from 1990 until 2009.

References

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  5. Admin, I. S. P. (June 17, 2025). "Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) | ISP-Myanmar".
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