Sudanese opposition NDA approves Darfur rebel membership

ASMARA, Feb 14, 2004 (Sudan Tribune) — The opposition Sudanese National Democratic Alliance (NDA) approved yesterday membership of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), which operates in the western part of the country, to merge with the NDA.

In this regard, the NDA leaders yesterday evening decided to accept membership application of the SLA for joining the NDA.

The SLA secretary-general, Mani Arkoi Minawi, disclosed that he had officially applied for the NDA membership through a member of NDA leadership Farouk Abu Eisa.

Abu Eisa confirmed the rebel application and added that any opposition faction was welcome.

The NDA Leadership hold since yesterday a meeting in Eritrean capital Asmara, the chairman Mohamed Osman al-Merghani and John Garang are among the attendance of this meeting. The meeting will continue until 15 February.

The Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) rebels emerged in February 2003 as a response to years of government-sanctioned attacks, unpopular central governance, lack of development in the region, and an ever more precarious existence, say analysts.