Background:
BARMM is the outcome of sustained efforts to resolve the Bangsamoro question of
Right to Self-Determination and to bring peace and development for all. It is the biggest opportunity for the people in the Bangsamoro to chart their development and peaceful co-existence given their right to exercise self-governance t
hrough a self-governing political and fiscal autonomy. In the transition, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) is given space and time to build the foundation of a regular government with a power to chart and run a government, to make laws and implement programs that will gradually end violence and move towards peace and economic development, transform communities and institutions into more self-reliant, resilient, inclusive and gender-responsive ones ushering sustainable development, especially in the delivery of social services, passage of relevant bills into laws and institution building.
However, recent developments in the region have begun to generate concern among various sectors. Issues surrounding changes in appointed leadership, allegations of corruptions and misused of public funds, and repeated postponements of the Bangsamoro Parliament elections have fueled debates, accusations and counter-accusations among political actors and communities. This state of political development in the BARMM make people uneasy and worry on what lies ahead. It triggers initial polarization among the leaders and their people. There are perceptions that leaderships squabbles, disunity of directions and lack of consensus when unbated may lead to unnecessary political tensions and divide among the leaders in BARMM. This will eventually disempower the BARMM towards its goal of peace and development.
Without consensus and unity in action and purpose, the political gains of the peace process will be jeopardized and may lead to disunity that will reverse decades of efforts for peace.
The Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have not been quite and been active in their role as political advocates in promoting good governance, human rights and effective leadership since the establishment of BARMM. They have been occupied in delivering social services to the communities and had paid little attention to their inherent function as watchdogs and exact accountability from the government leaders.
The present political environment in the BARMM requires the CSOs to be actively involved to build bridges in addition to rendering social services. . Former ICM and MILF Chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim recognized the role of CSOs from the beginning of the peace negotiations up to the establishment of the BARMM when he once said: “Most of our CSO brethren with us today are the same ones who have been there when the first bricks were piled to build what is now the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or BARMM.” ICM Message to CSOs@ Kaakbay Kapayapaan: Civil Society Peace and Solidarity Assembly on 25 November 2019 at EM Manor Hotel, Cotabato City. Also current ICM Abdulraof Macacua in one of his message defined the role of CSOs and even encouraged them to look into the work of the government.
The current political situation that is threatened by polarization provides the CSOs the impetus to share their role as peace builders. Their advocacy for good governance, human rights and peaceful co-existence must be sustained. This is the rationale for mobilizing the CSO leaders in the activity to show our support to sustain the gains of the peace process by calling for unity in action among the leaders and the larger community.
The CSOs emphasize that the power of love for the Bangsamoro must dominate over the love for power, wealth and fame and that the best option to resolve important issues is to talk to each other and not to talk against each other in the spirit of “As-Shura”.
Our Calls:
Civil Society Organizations put forward the following calls to safeguard the gains of the Bangsamoro peace process:
• Sustain the gains of the peace process through faithful and stringent implementation of the peace agreements;
• Promote consensus-building among Bangsamoro leaders in governing the region and ensuring inclusive and participatory development;
• Prevent leadership crisis that could generate political tensions and divisions within the communities;
• Encourage leaders to resolve disagreements through dialogues and mutual consultations prioritizing collective interests over personal or political agenda.
• Refrain from statements or actions that unnecessarily inflame tensions among leader and communities;
• Strengthen the role of civil society organizations in promoting transparency, accountability and responsible governance;
• Ensure clean, peaceful and credible elections as a critical step towards democratic consolidation in the Bangsamoro.
• Encourage all parties and peace stakeholders to take actions towards rebuilding trust between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Government of the Philippines (GPH).
Tri-Peoples Movement for Peace and Inclusive Development
Contact# 09177263530
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