1988
The Birth of SNLD
On 26 October 1988, the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) was registered as a political party at the Election Commission with Sai Thet Win serving as first chairperson,. On 24 November 1989, Khun Htun Oo became party chairperson.
1990
Sham hope for Democracy
SNLD contested the 1990 election, winning 23 seats and finishing as the party with the second-highest votes nationwide after the National League for Democracy (NLD). When the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) failed to honor the election results, the SNLD demanded the convening of legitimate Hluttaw sessions as soon as practical. SNLD joined the United Nationalities League for Democracy (UNLD), an alliance of 21 ethnically designated parties, a month after the NLD’s historic Gandhi Hall declaration. SNLD participated as member of the alliance as the UNLD endorsed the NLD’s declaration and together with the NLD made a further statement, the Bo Aung Kyaw Street Declaration.
1993
SNLD's Dance with militant lion
On 9 January 1993, the SLORC junta started the first session of the National Convention to draft a new constitution. SNLD participated in the Convention until 1996 where they advocated for deliberation of the proposed 104 points “Basic Principles”.
1995
Whispers of Hope: SNLD's Plea for Unity
On 6 November 1995, the SNLD Chairperson, Khun Htun Oo, sent a six-point “Petition letter for National Reconciliation” addressed to Senior General Than Shwe, head of the junta, and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, General Secretary of the NLD. Throughout that period, SNLD held a policy of “tripartite dialogue” to conflict resolution. On 25 November 1995, the SLORC expelled NLD representatives from the National Convention.
1998
SNLD in the CRPP's Fold
On 17 September 1998, together with NLD and three other political parties, SNLD joined the founding of the Committee Representing the People’s Parliament (CRPP).
2002
SNLD's Refusal to Reconvene
On 18 May 2002, SNLD and 11 other political parties founded the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA)—an ethnic alliance—intending to resolve Myanmar’s political problems by means of the tripartite dialogue, a dialogue between the military regime, democratic groups including NLD, and ethnic parties. On 14 May 2004, State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) attempted to reconvene the National Convention and invited SNLD to join. SNLD declined the invitation.
2005
Silenced Echoes: SNLD Leaders' Ordeal
On 9 February 2005, Khun Htun Oo and Sai Nyunt Lwin, Chairman and General Secretary of SNLD, were arrested by the SPDC for allegedly forming the Shan State Consultative Council. Trials for both leaders and working committee members of SNLD were conducted by arbitrary tribunals at Insein prison. They were summarily imprisoned on charges of “disturbing the National Convention”, “high treason”, and “inciting disaffection towards the government”. Khun Htun Oo was given a 93-year prison sentence; Sai Nyunt Lwin an 85-year sentence; Sai Hla Aung a 79-year sentence; and Sao Thai Oo a 12-year sentence.
2008
Stalwart Stance
On 21 March 2008, the Shan State Joint Action Committee (SSJAC), of which SNLD is a member, decided to boycott the 2008 Myanmar Constitutional Referendum. When the referendum results were announced, SNLD was the first party to publicly denounce the outcomes.
2010
SNLD’s dissolution
In the General Election of 7 November, SNLD did not contest any seats. At that time the party had been dissolved, and party leaders had been imprisoned by the military regime.
2012
On 13 January 2012, SNLD leaders were released from prison. Thereafter, former party members gathered and decided to re-register as an official political party.
17-Oct-2013
Birth of CSSU
On 17 October 2013, Committee for Shan State Unity (CSSU) was formed, with SNLD serving as a member of the committee.
Dec 23, 2014
Federating Dreams
On 23-24 December 2014, a convention was held by the UNA, an ethnic alliance formed by the leadership of SNLD with 15 other leading parties. Subsequently two UNA++ (UNA and alliances) conventions were held in 2015. SNLD took the leading role within the UNA promoting ethnic and federal issues.
2015
Electoral Triumph
In the 2015 General Election, 158 SNLD candidates contested, winning 40 seats
2018
Electoral Triumph
SNLD contested for two seats in the 2018 by-election, winning one seat.
2019
On the track of mainstream politics
On 15 July 2019, 3,765 proposed amendments to the 2008 constitution were presented to the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw by several parties. SNLD made 1,112 constitutional amendment proposals, the most of any party.
2020
The Triumph destroyed
In the 2020 General Election, 128 SNLD candidates contested, winning 42 seats including 2 seats in the Amyotha Hluttaw (upper house), 13 seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw (lower house), and 27 seats in State and Regional Hluttaws.
Feb 3, 2021
SNLD made a statement condemning the coup, calling for the release of arrested state leaders, and reiterating recognition of the 2020 election results.
Feb 9, 2021
The CSSU, of which SNLD is a member, made a statement with four points: the eradication of the dictatorial system, the abolition of the 2008 Constitution, the building of a federal democratic Union, and the emergence of a civilian government.
Feb 21, 2021
The SSJAC, of which SNLD is a member, made a statement strongly condemning the violent crackdown of peaceful protestors and Civil Disobedience Movement participants by the military through the use of combat weapons.
Mar 1, 2021
The UNA, led by SNLD, made a statement urging all stakeholders to work together towards building a federal democratic Union, and to resolve friction with peaceful protestors through dialogue and peaceful means.
Apr 30, 2022
Khun Htun Oo, who had served as SNLD chairperson for over 30 years, passed away at the age of 79.
May 27, 2022
SNLD organized a national convention and elected Sai Nyunt Lwin as new chairperson along with a new central executive committee. Additionally, the convention called for an eight point proposal, including anti-dictatorship policies, the all-inclusive approach to the peace process, and cooperation through alliances to end armed conflicts both within Shan State and in other parts of the country, as well as to implement national unity.
Oct 28, 2022
The 34th anniversary of SNLD’s founding day was held, statements confirmed the party’s standpoints, ethics, and political activities under the current political environment.
Feb 12, 2023
After deliberation, SNLD’s central executive committee decided not to register with the SAC’s election commission.
