Jikiri eyed to replace Misuari as MNLF leader

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 20): Jikiri eyed to replace Misuari as MNLF leader

Indanan, Sulu – Senior leaders and field commanders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) are pushing Yusop Jikiri, chair of the MNLF Central Committee, to succeed MNLF founding chair Nur Misuari as leader of the group.

Abuambri Taddik, director general of the MNLF national intelligence bureau said majority of the members of the MNLF central committee want Jikiri to head the organization founded by Misuari.

Misuari, during the MNLF’s 50th founding anniversary on Sunday, admitted: “Maybe it’s about time I take some rest and let the second liners among our leadership to take over.”

Jikiri, 64, is a son of a poor farmer in Indanan, Sulu and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree at the Philippine Muslim College in Jolo, Sulu. He joined the MNLF at the age of 20 and became one of its top commanders, eventually rising to become Chief of Staff under Nur Misuari.

The 65 members of the MNLF central committee voted unanimously in February 2017 favoring Jikiri to lead them due to his performance and dedication.

 https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/03/20/jikiri-eyed-to-replace-misuari-as-mnlf-leader/