MILF seeks UN help in peace process

From the Manila Bulletin (Nov 1): MILF seeks UN help in peace process

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has asked the United Nations (UN) to help in the normalization phase of the peace process between the MILF and the Government of the Philippines (GPH).

This request was reportedly made by the MILF leadership during the visit made by UN Philippine Coordinator Ola Almgren and his delegation to the MILF’s administrative headquarters at Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat in Maguindanao last October 26.

Almgren met with MILF Chairman Al-Haji Murad Ebrahim, MILF vice chair for political affairs Ghazali Jaafar and members of the Central Committee.

“I am here to make a courtesy call and begin to understand the complexities of the area, and how UN can best served the area,” said Almgren, who is also the UN Development Program’s (UNDP) resident coordinator.

In an article on the MILF’s online portal, the MILF leadership updated the UN visitors on the peace process and requested UN experts’ technical assistance in the aspect of normalization.

Normalization refers to the decommissioning of MILF weapons and combatants that will be undertaken alongside the various stages of the peace process. In June this year, the MILF decommissioned 75 weapons and 145 members of its Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), a ceremonial part of the normalization aspect.

Meanwhile, Murad made it clear that despite the challenges faced by the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), the MILF has not yet lost hope on the resolution of the Bangsamoro question.

Murad thanked the UN for its “very worthy and meaningful” assistance to the Bangsamoro people. “They (UN agencies) have engaged in the Bangsamoro since the early stage of the peace process, and for these, we are very grateful.”

He then updated the UN officials on the status of the peace process with GPH, focusing on the uncertainties the BBL continues to face.

“Despite all the challenges, the MILF leadership is still optimistic that finally, a true and meaningful resolution of the Bangsamoro Question will be arrived at. Unmindful of the uncertainties of the BBL, the MILF is committed to continue with the peace process,” Luwaran.com cited Murad’s statement.

Murad expressed the MILF leadership’s hope the UN will continue to assist in achieving peace in Mindanao.

“We are certainly ready to raise our voice and to do what we can to support the peace process, for we can see the will and intention by the (Aquino) Administration and MILF,” said Almgren.

While in Cotabato City, Almgren and his delegation also met with the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) led by its chairman, Mohagher Iqbal. Created by President Aquino, the BTC is the body that crafted the BBL as the legal implementation of the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

http://www.mb.com.ph/milf-seeks-un-help-in-peace-process/