MILF to challenge Bangsamoro chief minister's appointment

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) plans to question the government's recent appointment of the new chief minister for the Bangsamoro region. They will discuss this issue during a meeting with a Malaysian facilitator, who oversees a peace agreement between the Philippine government and the MILF. Mohagher Iqbal, who leads the MILF's peace panel, stated that the appointment violates the spirit of the 2014 peace deal. Despite the new chief minister, Abdulraof Macacua, being from the MILF, Iqbal believes the process was not in line with their agreements. He noted that the appointment raised concerns about the government's sincerity in maintaining the peace accord. Iqbal clarified that the MILF does not challenge the President's authority to make appointments but wants to review the peace deal’s guidelines and provisions. He stressed that the agreement specified that the MILF should lead the government in the expanded autonomous region. He pointed out that during previous administrations, the MILF held a majority in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament. However, he claimed that the new appointments did not reflect the official list submitted by the MILF. Iqbal expressed the need to reassess the peace agreement, as its implementation seems to be more complex than the negotiations. A meeting with the Malaysian facilitator occurred last week, but a formal schedule has yet to be set. Iqbal emphasized the importance of bringing this issue to the attention of the international community, as they play a role in peace efforts. He downplayed rumors of conflict within the MILF and stated that the group remains united. Macacua, who took office on March 20, visited the outgoing chief minister, Ahod Ebrahim, to say goodbye before officially assuming his new role. The official turnover is scheduled for March 27, marking the 11th anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.