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Peace will reign when military solution is contained |
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Written by Al Haj Murad Ebrahim
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Thursday, 15 March 2007 |
PRESS STATEMENT
Camp Abubakre As-Siddique
March 15, 2007
Peace will reign when military solution is contained
I take this opportunity to respond positively to the latest Presidential decision directive (PDD) upholding the established mechanisms of the peace process to advance the on-going peace talks between the MILF and the GRP.
This course of action taken by the Government aims to align the strategic implications of military tactical actions to a policy area consistent with its DND-AFP guidelines on the “Primacy of the Peace Process”. And, directing its Armed Forces to adhere to the GRP-MILF Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities of 1997 as well as its Implementing Guidelines is the right step to de-escalate violence and to arrest the current deteriorating situation in the field.
But the ultimate success of prolonged cessation of hostilities with a forward momentum supported by the Bangsamoro people and civil society is “when soldiers cease to become cops” among noncombatants. Or, when police work becomes truly “civilian in character”. The harsh reality is that government “responsibility to protect” suffers credibility, such as—where the AFP commands near the MILF areas are perceived to disregard the preventive measures or any anticipatory measures that both parties and joint ceasefire committees have arranged with the International Monitoring Team (IMT).
In the movement, there are discussions about “spoilers of the peace process” such as selfish strategic or economic interests that do not auger well for the comprehensive political settlement. That is why the Central Committee and I have publicly declared to match the recent Government pronouncement “to keep combatants in place”. On the part of MILF, war is not being stepped up. But the MILF will keep a Short List of “those intent at breaking the peace” including hawkish military officers and policymakers.
A public benchmark is that the Macapagal-Arroyo administration made a spectacular start on reversing the “all-out war policy” of its predecessor. That paved the way for resumption of talks between the MILF and the GRP, with the third party facilitation of the Government of Malaysia towards a real peace process. Negotiating principles and implementing mechanisms are clear enough on this point.
The role of the IMT is underpinned not by coercive means; yet, those who challenge it or evade it run the risk of ruining confidence in the peace process itself, if not eroding its domestic and diplomatic legitimacy. Because it is not self-interested but multilateral, the Malaysian-led IMT is now joined in by Brunei , Libya , Japan , Sweden , and possibly the European Union.
I have no doubt about keeping up the struggle to mobilize population through a principled level of negotiation. Peace will reign when the military solution is contained and trigger violations (like the Midsayap incidents) are not repeated.
AL HAJ MURAD EBRAHIM
Chairman
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