Organization of Islamic Conference bewails worsening factionalism in MNLF

COTABATO CITY , Philippines  – The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) is unhappy about the worsening factionalism in the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), apprehensive of its impact on efforts to foster peace and sustainable development in Mindanao.

The OIC, a pan-Islamic bloc of more than 50 Muslim countries, including petroleum-exporting countries in the Middle East and Africa, helped broker the Sept. 2, 1996 peace pact between the Philippine government and the MNLF.

In a press communiqué, Sayeed Kaseem El-Masry, the OIC’s special envoy to Southern Mindanao, called on leaders of the MNLF to “unite” and resolve their factionalism.

El-Masry arrived in Manila the other day for the the tripartite review of the 1996 peace accord.

“It’s very obvious that the OIC is not happy about the factionalism that has torn apart the once united leaders of the MNLF. It’s obvious that the OIC’s support for the peaceful efforts of Malacañang in resolving the Mindanao Moro rebellion is affected by this problem,” said an ustadz (Islamic preacher).

“The main obstacle that is facing this long sought goal is the division within the MNLF. This division has to end. And I have a strong message to them, all of them: unless you (MNLF leaders) unite, nobody is going to unite you,” El-Masry said in his press communiqué.