About the SPLA

The SPLA is the Sudan People's Liberation Army; their political wing is the SPLM (Sudan People's Liberation Movement."

According to Wikipedia, "the SPLA/M is largely Southern Sudan-based, non-Arabic and secular, in contrast to the predominantly Muslim and Arab north. As a rebel group it was formed in 1983 by rebellious south Sudanese soldiers of the Sudanese Army... It was founded by Colonel Dr John Garang, Captain Salva Kiir Mayardit, Major William Nyuon Bany and Major Kerubino Kuanyin Bol. SPLA/M's declared aim was to establish a democratic Sudan with it as the leading party in control of the southern areas. The war has been largely described in religious and ethnic terms, and also as a struggle for control of the water and oil resources located in the southern and the western Sudan."

Pictured above: Colonel John Garang, later Vice President of Sudan.

To learn more, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudan_People's_Liberation_Army