Gov’t, MILF KL talks end in ‘technical impasse’

From the Daily Tribune (Oct 14): Gov’t, MILF KL talks end in ‘technical impasse’

Negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on the power-sharing annex in the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) ended in a “technical” deadlock after more than 18 hours of talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, negotiators said.

MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said the annex, which is the next crucial item in the negotiations after the government agreed on a 75 percent-25 percent wealth sharing deal in favor of the MILF, represents the “heart” of the negotiations and contains the list of powers reserved for the central government, powers exclusive to the envisioned Bangsa-moro government, and concurrent or shared powers between the two.

Malaysia is celebrating Eid’l Adha holiday which precludes the continuation of negotiations that center on the defining the appropriate language about wordings on the provisions of the annex.

Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, chief government negotiator, never-theless, said “very good progress has been achieved in the power-sharing annex including on the possible structure of the new Bangsamoro political entity and the intergovernmental mechanism that can be instituted to ensure coordination and cooperation between the Central (Mnaila) and Bangsamoro governments in the exercise of various powers”.

“As agreed, the Bangsamoro shall have a ministerial form of government,” Coronel-Ferrer said.

The annex contains the list of powers reserved for the central government, powers exclusive to the envisioned Bangsamoro government, and concurrent or shared powers between the two,” Iqbal said.

Iqbal said that despite holding a session for more than 18 hours, the government and the MILF failed to agree on how power will be shared between the proposed Bangsamoro political entity and the national government in the 41st round of talks.

In their joint statement, both sides said they hope to complete the annexes after the Eid al-Adha break.

Iqbal earlier said the delay is impeding the working timeline of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, the body tasked to draft the Basic Law. Iqbal also heads the commission.

For the government, however, the 41st exploratory talks in Malaysia ended yesterday with “substantial” progress.

A joint statement said “(Negotiators) have proceeded in exhaustive, honest discussions in order to identify the best formulations for an agreement that would respond to the aspirations of both parties.”

The statement said that the remaining challenges and the time constraints demand that both panels remain focused on completing the annexes following a break for Eid’Ul’Adha.

“Both sides have a full understanding of their responsibility as they strive towards a sustainable and inclusive solution for the benefit of all people in the Bangsamoro,” it noted.

The government and MILF peace negotiating panels expressed their appreciation to President Benigno S. Aquino III “for his unwavering commitment to a just and lasting peace in Mindanao,” and to Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak “ for his continued support in the facilitation of the government-MILF peace talks.”

Both parties also thanked the members of the MILF Central Committee headed by Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim “for their untiring commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Bangsamoro Question.”

They also extend their gratitude to the members of the International Contact Group (ICG) — Japan, the United Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Turkey, the United Kingdom, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Conciliation Resources, Muhammadiyah and the Community of Sant’ Egidio.

The government and MILF peace panels started Tuesday the 41st exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where both sides were optimistic to reach a consensus on power-sharing and normalization — the last two annexes to be added to the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro (FAB).

Government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer earlier said she is certain of an accord with MILF that would empower Mindanao’s Moro communities and benefit all sectors, regardless of tribes, religions and cultural identities.

A completed FAB shall be the basis for an enabling law to legitimize the replacement of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) with an MILF-led Bangsamoro self-governing political entity.

Coronel-Ferrer said they have spent considerable time in the crafting of the four annexes to the FAB - transitional arrangements; wealth partitions; power sharing; and normalization - to ensure that the framework for a lasting peace in the south will be supported by all sectors.

Iqbal expressed hopes that the final peace pact will benefit the communities in all of the areas they want to group together under a Bangsamoro political entity.

Peace talks between the government and the MILF started January 7, 1997, but gained headway only in recent years with the participation of Malaysia as third party facilitator, and with the help of foreign peace advocacy outfits and international donor organizations.

Coronel-Ferrer said there is now an understanding on the level of detail that would go into the annex on power sharing but some disagreements exist on specific features.
“Discussions are also ongoing on the extent of territorial jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro political entity over waters and on the protection of fishing rights of subsistence fisherfolk in the Sulu Sea and Moro Gulf,” Coronel-Ferrer said.

The Technical Working Groups on Normalization of both panels also met and achieved working consensus on the mechanisms that will address the different security aspects of normalization, such as the private armed groups, and disposition of weapons and combatants, and land conflicts; the provision of socio-economic programs; and reconciliation, she said.

“In all, it was a productive meeting but the discussions on the many items took time. Despite the exhausting daily overtime sessions in the last five days, the panels remained upbeat,” Coronel-Ferrer said.

Coronel-Ferrer said the parties have agreed on a process that will facilitate the settlement of the unsettled issues and will meet again “in due time”.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/item/20230-gov-t-milf-kl-talks-end-in-technical-impasse