MILF, GRP urged to study successful world conflict resolution models

March 12, 2008 (reprinted from luwaran.com)

A non-government organization (NGO) has urged both the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) to undertake serious look at current models of conflict resolution by sending representatives to conduct an actual study of these models and how are they faring after the signing. Prof. Abhoud Syed Lingga, chairperson of the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies (IBS), has called on the MILF and GRP particularly their peace negotiators to send observers to South Sudan, Kosovo, Northern Ireland, and Bougainville, and have a serious look at these models.

He said it is people’s way of thinking that they are phobic of the unknown or uncharted ways but when they are there fear gradually eases and self-confidence comes in. “There are many lessons these models can give to the government and the MILF which they creatively apply in the current peace talks. Why not try.”

Abhoud, a well-travelled man, is currently in Thailand on a speaking engagement about peace-making. In a related development, Khaled Musa, deputy chairman of the MILF committee on information, told Luwaran that the best model that the MILF and GRP could study seriously is the South Sudan model. He said there are very similarities between the conflicts in Mindanao and South Sudan, although in the inverted order.

Animists and Christians are fighting a Muslim government in Khartoum, while in Mindanao, Moros or Muslims are battling a Christian government in Manila. “If a Muslim government can give genuine self-rule to Christians with option to secede, why can’t a Christian government extend that to Muslims?” he asked.

He said the Sudan and Mindanao are test cases how far these two world religions can accommodate each other’s faithful.