In brief
Philippines: peace process, transition towards enlarged autonomy of Bangsamoro make progress
MILF guerrilla begins disarmament
The peace agreement signed in 2014 between the government and the MILF provides for the enlargement of the autonomy of the Bangsamoro, the Muslim-majority territory of Mindanao and several other islands in the southern Philippines. The deal is an important step towards ending a decades-long conflict, a Nationalia analysis reported in February. MILF originally advocated independence, but has ended up accepting an autonomy agreement.
The Bangsamoro Transitional Authority —headed by MILF’s Ahod Ebrahim— is currently the interim government of the territory until the end of the transition period in 2022, when the new Bangsamoro Parliament will be elected.