Historic failures haunt Moro peace deal

[unhappycamper]

http://atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/SEA-01-110214.html



Historic failures haunt Moro peace deal
By Richard Heydarian
Feb 11, '14

MANILA - After two years of intensive negotiations, the Philippine government and the country's largest rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), have signed a final peace agreement which paves the way for a lasting resolution of one of the world's longest-running intra-state conflicts.

The January 25 agreement stipulates among other things the disarmament and eventual reintegration of about 12,000 MILF soldiers into the Philippine security forces. This could effectively end a primary source of armed challenge to the Philippines' territorial integrity, and put an end to four decades of conflict in the southern island of Mindanao that has resulted in the death of up to 150,000, mostly civilian, individuals.

In exchange, the Philippine government will facilitate the establishment of an autonomous "Bangsamoro" entity in the predominantly Muslim regions of Mindanao. The Philippine Congress is expected to pass a law for enactment of the new autonomous entity this year.

Nevertheless, critics have raised concerns over the viability of the peace agreement and the lack of inclusiveness in the negotiations.

[bemildred]

1. Somewhat like Colombia, a long running civil conflict fed by US meddling

and corrupt incompetent government. I will be very surprised if the agreement holds up, and also if the government is able to do much when it fails.