Monday, June 13--- Mr. Ola Almgren, UN Resident Coordinator, accompanied by Mr. Chetan Kumar, Peace and Development Advisor, UN Manila and Mr. Winston Camarinas, UNDP-Cotabato paid courtesy call to Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Murad Ebrahim and members of the Central Committee.
In response to Mr. Almgren’s queries, Chairman Murad related his recent travel to Europe upon the invitation of the European Union wherein they observed that wherever they go, similar question is always ask to them: “What will happen now that new administration is coming.”
He also said, “Until now we are not yet certain of what will be the policy of the new administration, or how their approach would be, but there is an optimism it will continue with the peace process. Gauging from their pronouncements during the campaign period and even after the elections, there is consistency that they will continue with the peace process.”
Furthermore Chairman Murad said, “For the MILF, basically the peace process is already in the implementing stage, and in this implementing stage we are facing more challenges. Along with the implementation stage, the road map is important to be followed.”
He pointed out, “If we create another road map, it will complicate the situation. In a lengthy discussion with Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), generally, they too, agree to support the Road Map.”
“On the issue of transitional government, we see no major obstacle in the participation of the MNLF where a provision in the transition says ‘MILF lead’, meaning it’s not all MILF, but the MILF will be the majority,” he said.
“For us we will welcome other groups in the transitional government and the central government can also appoint/recommend their representative. For us, inclusiveness has a way, not necessarily abrogating the Road Map,” Chairman Murad continued saying in response to Mr. Almgren’s query.
He added, “As far as the socio-economic development is concerned, that is all along part of the Normalization process.”
“Working with the international community, working with OIC, will bring the peace process more conducive,” Chairman Murad underscored.
“In the discussions with EU, we emphasized that we continue engagement with international community as we see that the more we need international community during the implementation period,” he told the delegation from the U.N.
“The MILF will continue to assert that all gains of the peace shall be protected. We are trying to have an open line of communication with the incoming administration. We are hoping that he (President-elect Duterte) will understand the situation,” the MILF leader said.
Mr. Almgren thanked Chairman Murad for the very extensive answers he got. He was also briefed on the mechanics of the Bangsamoro Coordination Forum (BCF).
The MILF head said that they are not opposed to federalism, for it is the people who will ultimately decide.
“However, since the problem in Mindanao has some peculiarities, it does not mean it can totally address the problem, but federalism will address it more easily,” Chairman Murad explained.
In President –elect Duterte’s statement during their presidential debate, he said that BBL can be used as template or maybe it can serve as a model.
In the conclusion of the meeting, Almgren thanked and congratulated the MILF for its participation and support to the UNICEF’S program on banning child soldiers, wherein Central Committee member Edward Guerra is the focal person for the campaign against recruitment of child soldiers.
He was also very thankful for the support afforded to UN’s personnel in all their programs, and engagements in the area.
Almgren expressed to continue and will always see, how they can help in finally achieving true peace in Mindanao.
http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php/news/20-central-mindanao/774-un-representative-visits-milf-leadership-at-camp-darapanan
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