Rebel leader declares independence of Mindanao
Nur Misuari, founder and leader of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), a rebel movement in the Philippines’ troubled southern island of Mindanao, on August 12 declared independence of the Bangsamoro republic, the new name for the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao proposed by the Philippine government.
Misuari also declared himself president of the region and commander-in-chief of the Bangsamoro Armed Forces just shortly before the government in Manila could finalise a peace agreement with the rebel groups designed to end the decades-old armed conflict in the Southern Philippines.
The MNLF is the original Muslim secessionist group in Mindanao founded by Misuari, a former professor at the University of the Philippines, in the early 1970s. After declaring independence, Misuari now said he would set up a government in exile that would rule Palawan, Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, as well as Sabah, which is, however, part of Malaysia.
Politicians in Manila urged Misuari to revoke the independence declaration. So far, there was no critical development in Mindanao as a result of Misuari’s declaration of independence, the government said, but if the situation worsens, it was ready to “take action.”
[caption id="attachment_14112" align="alignleft" width="240"] Nur Misuari[/caption] Nur Misuari, founder and leader of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), a rebel movement in the Philippines' troubled southern island of Mindanao, on August 12 declared independence of the Bangsamoro republic, the new name for the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao proposed by the Philippine government. Misuari also declared himself president of the region and commander-in-chief of the Bangsamoro Armed Forces just shortly before the government in Manila could finalise a peace agreement with the rebel groups designed to end the decades-old armed conflict in the Southern Philippines. The MNLF is the...
Nur Misuari, founder and leader of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), a rebel movement in the Philippines’ troubled southern island of Mindanao, on August 12 declared independence of the Bangsamoro republic, the new name for the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao proposed by the Philippine government.
Misuari also declared himself president of the region and commander-in-chief of the Bangsamoro Armed Forces just shortly before the government in Manila could finalise a peace agreement with the rebel groups designed to end the decades-old armed conflict in the Southern Philippines.
The MNLF is the original Muslim secessionist group in Mindanao founded by Misuari, a former professor at the University of the Philippines, in the early 1970s. After declaring independence, Misuari now said he would set up a government in exile that would rule Palawan, Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, as well as Sabah, which is, however, part of Malaysia.
Politicians in Manila urged Misuari to revoke the independence declaration. So far, there was no critical development in Mindanao as a result of Misuari’s declaration of independence, the government said, but if the situation worsens, it was ready to “take action.”
