MILF: OIC should exert more efforts to unite MNLF, MILF

From the MILF Website (Nov 16): OIC should exert more efforts to unite MNLF, MILF

A senior member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has urged the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to be more assertive in bringing together the MILF and the MNLF, including its several factions, in the context and umbrella of the BangsamoroCoordination Forum (BCF) and not allow any of the two parties to just dilly-dally. Muhammad Ameen, chair of the MILF Secretariat, told Luwaran that MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari is just taking an easy ride on the initiative of the OIC by not agreeing to the formation of the BCF. He said that after the meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia last December 2011, the MILF had officially informed the OIC of its approval for the creation of BCF. The BCF is a coordinating body wherein the MNLF and its factions, the MILF, and Moro civil society organizations, after meeting some qualifications, will discuss major issues and concerns and adopt common decisions for each component members will implement jointly or separately. “It is a vehicle for brotherly interactions in resolving issues or problems of common concerns. This is the most practical way to unite our efforts,” he explained. He noted that Misuari’ formula of unity is for the MILF and other Moro groups to rejoin the MNLF, commenting that idea will simply not work, because at present the MILF is the strongest and biggest organization. Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, Chairman of the MILF, also vouched for this BCF as the only practical way for the various groups to move forward together. Murad told a press conference in the MILF camp in Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao last October 27 that “once it will be implemented, functionalized, then it will be enough forum for all groups of the MNLF and the MILF to discuss among themselves how we can move forward together.” Prof. Ekemelddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary-General of the 57-nation OIC, also cited in his message to the MILF’s Bangsamoro Leaders Assembly held in Darapanan in July. Ihsanoglu had said that since the peace processes with the MILF and MNLF “revolve around the same problem and the same territory, the process of coordination between the two fronts has become of utmost necessity.” In a related development, greater chance for the BCF to take off is seen as both the MNLF and the MILF have sent their respective powerhouse delegations to the 39th Session of the Council of Foreign Affairs Ministers (CFAM) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Nov. 15 to 17 in Djibouti, East Africa. It is most likely the issue of BCF will be taken up at the sideline of the yearly OIC conference.

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