Darfur's SLA leaders operate out of Chad, Europe and Eritrea

Once seen as fighting for the rights of brutalised people, Darfur's biggest rebel movement SLA have become part of the problem, reports BBC correspondent Jonah Fisher in Khartoum 28 Oct 2005.

Note the report reveals SLA leaders left Darfur in 2004 and attempted to direct operations from different hotels in the Eritrean capital, Asmara.

Also, see fascinating Washington Post report May 17 2005 by Emily Wax about the Janjaweed, the militarised town of Marla and how "amid the amulet pouches hanging from Tarjab Jalab's belt loop is a Thuraya satellite phone in a small leather case. In theory, the commander in Muhajara uses it to communicate with the SLA's higher-ups in Chad, Europe and Eritrea."

Oct 28 Reuters report by Opheera McDoom says some rebel delegates expected to attend a unity congress Oct 29 are from the United States, Italy, and England.