Suu Kyi re-elected leader at key opposition congress

Source: France24

Aung San Suu Kyi was re-elected as Myanmar opposition leader Sunday at a landmark congress that stopped short of sweeping changes in its ageing top ranks ahead of key elections in 2015.

Hundreds of opposition members gathered in Yangon for their first national conference -- a display of political strength that would have been unthinkable under the junta that ruled the country with an iron fist for decades.

The meeting highlighted the myriad challenges facing the opposition, including its lack of experience as well as internal divisions which saw four members banned from attending, accused of trying to influence the voting.

Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) had faced calls to inject new blood into its top ranks, dominated by senior members including some in their 80s and 90s, as it eyes key elections due to be held in 2015.

Read more: http://www.france24.com/en/20130310-suu-kyi-elected-opposition-nld-party-leader-burma