Photo by Jad’dah Deeyah
A delegation of UNICEF composed of Karin Hulshof, Regional Director- UNICEF East Asia and Pacific, Lotta Sylwander, Philippines’ Country Representative, Andrew Morris, Mindanao Field Office, Joseph Kit Marcella, Farouk Lim and Rohannie Baraguir paid a courtesy call to the MILF Leadership in Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao , Wednesday, July 26, 2017.
MILF Chairman Al Hajj Murad Ebrahim, together with the members of Central Committee welcomed the guests cordially.
The UNICEF party came with a view in mind “on how to support the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in terms of young people or other issues that the front may want to bring up in the meeting”, Ms. Lotta Sylwander said. They are here to stay, wanting to hear how they can support, she added.
With the aforesaid objectives, Ms. Karin Hulshof pointed out that, “We have no specific agenda, just to have opportunity to listen, to understand better your work, to know what else we can do in the future”.
Chairman Ebrahim on behalf of the MILF Leadership gratefully expressed appreciation for the visit, the partnership with UNICEF and the UN that has been going on for years, and most particularly, the resolution of the issues that confronted the MILF when they were accused of training child soldiers.
It can be recalled that the MILF signed with UN an action plan, in July 2009, to ensure that children affected by armed conflict are protected. Such action plan was successfully implemented.
Chairman Ebrahim emphasized that the MILF always acknowledge adherence to International Human Rights law, and in all peace process agreements, its adherence to international law is there.
With the efforts mentioned, the UNICEF delegation congratulates the MILF and committed to continue working with the Moro Front for the children’s future and health problems. They also expressed commendation for BTC for finishing the BBL draft and its submission to President Rodrigo Duterte last July 17 .
Along this line, Chairman Ebrahim said, “political solution- is one way to counter radicalization”. When asked if there is any more way to counter radicalization, he answered “the MILF had devised a program for that”
Ms. Sylwander implied that aside from program for young people, capacity building towards transition aspects is also perceived.
“Seriousness in forming action plan for future of young MILF, in field of education and as part of Normalization”, Mr. Andrew Morris supplemented.
Thus, the conversation led to “more meetings to develop action plans, that can be adopted by the Implementing Panel as part of the Normalization”, Chairman Ebrahim agreed.
“To help young people make the right choice, we have to help them develop. Similar services for the whole population, same quality and same access”, Ms. Hulshof said.
The MILF Social Welfare Committee represented by Engr. Aida Silongan briefed the guests about its eight (8) sub-committees and their mandate.
The meeting ended with so much hope and vision for sustainable peace.
http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/939/unicef-to-stay--supports-milf-
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