Sudanese Union-African Democratic Rally
Encyclopedia
The Sudanese Union-African Democratic Rally (US-RDA Union Soudanaise-Rassemblement Démocratique Africain) is a Mali
an political party
.
The party was formed in 1945 by Mamdou Konaté and Modibo Keita
, with the name Sudanese Bloc (Bloc Soudanais). The following year, they affiliated themselves with the African Democratic Rally
(RDA), the interterritorial coalition of anti-colonial political parties active in French West Africa
.
In 1956 US-RDA won the elections to the National Assembly elections in French Soudan. With Konaté's 1958 death, Keita gained full control of the party.
After independence in 1960 US-RDA was established as the sole legal party in the country; however, it was officially dissolved following the 1968 coup by Moussa Traoré
. Over the next two decades, US-RDA remained underground. In 1990, however, the party joined the growing democratic movement against Traoré's dictatorship, becoming part of the Alliance for Democracy in Mali
(ADEMA).
In 1992, Tiéoulé Konaté made an unsuccessful bid for the presidency as the US-RDA candidate, losing to ADEMA's Alpha Oumar Konaré
.
In 1998, US-RDA split into two factions, one of which followed Daba Diawara
to become the Independence, Democracy and Solidarity Party (PIDS) in 2001.
In the July 2007 parliamentary election
, the party succeeded in entering the National Assembly
, winning one seat.
Mamadou Bamou Touré is the current president of the US-RDA.
Mali
Mali , officially the Republic of Mali , is a landlocked country in Western Africa. Mali borders Algeria on the north, Niger on the east, Burkina Faso and the Côte d'Ivoire on the south, Guinea on the south-west, and Senegal and Mauritania on the west. Its size is just over 1,240,000 km² with...
an political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
.
The party was formed in 1945 by Mamdou Konaté and Modibo Keita
Modibo Keïta
Modibo Keita ; was the first President of Mali and the Prime Minister of the Mali Federation. He espoused a form of African socialism.-Youth:...
, with the name Sudanese Bloc (Bloc Soudanais). The following year, they affiliated themselves with the African Democratic Rally
African Democratic Rally
The African Democratic Rally was a political party in French West Africa, led by Félix Houphouët-Boigny. Founded in Bamako in 1946, the RDA quickly became one of the most important forces for independence in the region. Initially a Pan-Africanist movement, the RDA ceased to function as a...
(RDA), the interterritorial coalition of anti-colonial political parties active in French West Africa
French West Africa
French West Africa was a federation of eight French colonial territories in Africa: Mauritania, Senegal, French Sudan , French Guinea , Côte d'Ivoire , Upper Volta , Dahomey and Niger...
.
In 1956 US-RDA won the elections to the National Assembly elections in French Soudan. With Konaté's 1958 death, Keita gained full control of the party.
After independence in 1960 US-RDA was established as the sole legal party in the country; however, it was officially dissolved following the 1968 coup by Moussa Traoré
Moussa Traoré
General Moussa Traoré is a Malian soldier and politician. As a Lieutenant, he led the military ouster of President Modibo Keïta in 1968. Thereafter he served as Head of State from 1968-1979, and President of Mali from 1979 to 1991, when he was overthrown by popular protests and military coup...
. Over the next two decades, US-RDA remained underground. In 1990, however, the party joined the growing democratic movement against Traoré's dictatorship, becoming part of the Alliance for Democracy in Mali
Alliance for Democracy in Mali
The Alliance for Democracy in Mali-Pan-African Party for Liberty, Solidarity and Justice is a political party in Mali....
(ADEMA).
In 1992, Tiéoulé Konaté made an unsuccessful bid for the presidency as the US-RDA candidate, losing to ADEMA's Alpha Oumar Konaré
Alpha Oumar Konaré
Alpha Oumar Konaré was the President of Mali for two five-year terms , and was Chairperson of the African Union Commission from 2003 to 2008.-Scholarly career:...
.
In 1998, US-RDA split into two factions, one of which followed Daba Diawara
Daba Diawara
Daba Diawara is a Malian politician.Daba Diawara was born in Bamako, son of Gabou Diawara, former minister and political ally of the first president, Modibo Keïta. He pursued his education in public law in Dakar and in Paris, where he received a doctorate at the University of Paris in 1987.After...
to become the Independence, Democracy and Solidarity Party (PIDS) in 2001.
In the July 2007 parliamentary election
Malian parliamentary election, 2007
A parliamentary election was held in Mali on 1 July 2007 and 22 July. In the first round, there were about 1,400 candidates for 147 seats in the National Assembly....
, the party succeeded in entering the National Assembly
National Assembly of Mali
The unicameral National Assembly of Mali is the country's legislative body.The current National Assembly, formed following elections held on 14 and 28 July 2002, has a total of 160 members. 147 members are directly elected in single or multi-member constituencies using the Two-Round system...
, winning one seat.
Mamadou Bamou Touré is the current president of the US-RDA.