MILF seeking united front with MNLF

From the Business World (Dec 13): MILF seeking united front with MNLF

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is reaching out to the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) amid calls from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to unite for a common cause."The time has now come for every Bangsamoro to entertain no rancor in his or her heart," the MILF said in a statement. The MILF urged the MNLF leaders, particularly its leader Nur Misuari, to consider the advantages of a united Moro front. "Hatred, envy, animosity and rivalry have no place in a struggle dedicated to build an edifice for the entire Moro nation," it said.

The MILF said it has responsibility to "seek unity with fellow Muslims… to strengthen the capability of the Bangsamoro people to propel their struggle to new heights." "The MILF will not lose anything; on the contrary, it will still strengthen itself even if Brother Nur Misuari continues to ignore the call, because the MILF has the momentum now to surge ahead, as a consequence of the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and the overwhelming support it drew from all sectors of the Philippine society," the MILF added. MNLF leaders were not immediately available for comment.

During a forum of the Framework Agreement in Sulu last week that was attended by Mr. Misuari, the MNLF leader did not object to the resolution adopted by the five governors of the Muslim Mindanao region in asking the MILF and the MNLF to unite in advancing the interest of Moros in Mindanao. The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao groups the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. The area will form part of the planned Bangsamoro region under a peace plan inked by the government and MILF last October.

MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim and Mr. Misuari met during the 39th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers OIC in Djibouti last month. During discussions, the OIC suggested the creation of the Bangsamoro Coordination Forum to unite the two groups, to which Mr. Murad immediately agreed but was rejected by Mr. Misuari. However, the OIC managed to convince Mr. Misuari to join and participate in the January meeting to formalize the mechanism of the forum.

The MILF said peace negotiations with the government are inclusive for all Moros groups in the region. "The MILF is not doing all these striving for itself nor for its leaders. The MILF is only at the driver’s seat during the transition period and when the regular government will be in place, it will be for everybody," the group said. "If the MILF is interested to take rein of government, then it or its political party will contest in election, and if it wins, then it holds the government. There will be no fear in the hearts of those who want to participate in running the affairs of the Bangsamoro government," it said. "No one will be barred from it. The only difference is that the rule of engagement in election will be leveled off, not of the current model which only those having three Gs [gold or money, guns, and goons] can win," it added.

The two fronts have been at odds since the MILF broke away with the MNLF due to differences in ideology.

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=MILF-seeking-united-front-with-MNLF&id=62935