SUMMARY
The conflict over government in Laos has its roots in the communist takeover in 1975. Following periods of both escalation and de-escalation of violence in the late 1970s and the beginning of the 1980s, resistance groups belonging to the Hmong tribe were formed and came together in a loose alliance in the late 1980s. Clashes between government forces and Hmong resistance groups occurred in 1989-1990. The conflict was coded as terminated in 1990 due to low activity.
IN DEPTH
Background to the conflict
Laos is a small country with a population of around 6 million (in 2003) containing over 60 different ethnic groups. These are usually divided into three main groups: the Lao Loum (lowland, 68% of the population), the Lao Theung (upland, 22%), and the Lao Seung (highland, 9%.) Within the highland group, there are tribes such as the Hmong, who populate an area north of the capital Vientiane. Their villages are situated on steep mountains with thick jungle rising almost 3000 meters above sea level in area penetrated by few roads –fewer of which are paved – which sometimes are washed away by mudslides in the rainy season.
The Hmong have a long history of conflict and poor relations with the lowland Lao, and throughout history several attempts have been made by the Hmong to avoid integration into the Lao administration. Many Hmong participated in the French colonial army, and subsequently backed the first independent government led by king Savang Vatthana. Hmong forces were also recruited as a ”secret army” by the American CIA in their fight against the communist guerrilla in the 1960s, as a means of cutting off supply to the Vietcong in the Vietnam War. When the communist nationalist Pathet Lao overthrew the king in 1975, the Hmong resistance groups that formed were based around ethnic kinship as well as a right-wing political movement for the reinstatement of the kingdom.
After a few intense years of fighting in the late 1970s, during which time accusations were made about attacks on civilians, the conflict deescalated in the following decade. The reasons for this are largely unclear, but it is believed that the Hmong retreated up into the hills, while the Lao government controlled the flow of information about possible incidents.
Armed conflict in 1989-1990
After a relatively calm period in the beginning of the 1980s, preceded by fighting in the late 1970s, anti-government resistance groups were formed in refugee camps in Thailand and by exiled Hmong in the US, France, and Australia. Reports suggested that they formed a loose alliance under the name LRM (Lao Resistance Movement) in the late 1980s, leading to the supposed proclamation of an independent government in December 1989.
In early 1990, the Laos government responded with a military campaign that allegedly also included attacks on the civilian Hmong population in the hills. The repatriation of Lao refugees in Thailand by the UNHCR in the early 1990s, as well as improving relations between Laos and bordering countries has limited the possibility for violent actions by the insurgent groups. In 1994, the government created the ”Saisamboun Special Zone” in the area with the intent of increasing pressure on remaining insurgents as well as developing the infrastructure and creating business opportunities.
Developments after 1990
Even though the conflict has not reached the threshold of 25 battle-related deaths after 1990, sporadic clashes between government forces and resistance groups have continued to occur. In 2000, it was estimated that the Hmong movement consisted of around 4000 troops divided into two main groups; ULNLF (United Lao National Liberation Front) and ELOL (Ethnic Liberation Organisation of Laos).
The most outspoken group of the LRM alliance, ULNLF, is formed around the former head of the ”secret army”, general Vang Pao, exiled in the US. There have been some accusations that the group was more interested in raising funds from exiled Hmong than acting on the ground in Laos. The group was mainly concerned with the struggle against communist rule in Laos and has enjoyed support from Royalists and others who are like-minded.
Little is known about ELOL, formerly known as Chao Fa, which is generally considered the most active in Laos (this group is also part of the LRM alliance). The group was formed by the remaining Hmong when the communist government attacked them after their government take-over. Claims have been made that ELOL was explicitly trying to link up with other ethnic minorities, and in the 1990s ELOL claimed that its goal was Hmong autonomy rather than the overthrow of the government.
It is known that the Hmong tribes are farming opium poppy, and some reports suggested that the increase in fighting in 1989 was a sign of increased competition over the drug trade.
In general, there has been no foreign involvement in the conflict since 1989. The Hmong groups have managed to hide in the thick jungle and use the arms they received previously from the US and Thailand. After the withdrawal of Soviet and Vietnamese support given in 1989-91, the Laotian government has not been able to make any decisive moves against the Hmong minority.
