COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 16 March) – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Central Committee expressed dismay over the alleged lack of consultation on the replacement of interim Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, also the MILF chair, and the appointment of only 35 out of the 41 nominees it submitted to the 80-member Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA). In a statement issued after a Consultative Assembly in Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte, the MILF emphasized the importance of consulting its leadership on significant matters affecting the Bangsamoro. The statement criticized the National Government’s unilateral decision to appoint a new interim Chief Minister, disregarding the MILF’s resolutions supporting Ebrahim’s retention. While acknowledging President Ferdinand Marcos’ prerogative to appoint, the Assembly stressed that the MILF’s position should have been considered. Ebrahim, MILF chair since 2003 and interim Chief Minister since 2019, was replaced by Maguindanao del Norte OIC Governor Abdulraof Macacua, who also serves as Chief of Staff of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces. Macacua took his oath on March 12, followed by the swearing-in of 77 BTA members on March 15. The Consultative Assembly, attended by 500 leaders, highlighted grievances over the presidential appointments, claiming deviation from the MILF’s nominee list, with Ebrahim as the top nominee for interim Chief Minister. The MILF argued this constitutes interference in its internal affairs and undermines the autonomy principle of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which states the BTA should be MILF-led. The first and second BTA had 41 MILF members out of 80. The statement concluded by urging unity among the Bangsamoro people and rejecting attempts to sow division, emphasizing the need to protect the peace process and the Bangsamoro’s future. The BARMM transition period, which began in 2019, was extended, with elections postponed to October 13, 2025, and the first elected officials of the Bangsamoro Parliament set to take office on October 30, 2025. (Ferdinandh B. Cabrera / MindaNews)
