MILF faces internal tensions after BTA leadership changes

COTABATO CITY, BARMM, Philippines — The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) is facing internal conflicts as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) deals with a leadership change. This situation arises even as the BTA works to implement a peace agreement made with the government, which took 17 years to negotiate. The BTA governs the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). It was established in 2019 under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), a peace deal aimed at ending a long-standing separatist rebellion. The BTA is required to be led by the MILF, which appointed its interim chief minister, Ahod "Al Haj Murad" Ebrahim, in 2019. However, on March 9, President Marcos appointed Abdulraof Macacua as the new chief minister, replacing Ebrahim, who had resigned a few days earlier. This change was preceded by scrutiny from the House of Representatives over the use of BARMM funds, leading to more than 76 new appointments within the BTA. Macacua, who previously led the MILF’s armed wing, took his oath of office on March 12. Despite this, several MILF leaders, including Ebrahim, did not attend the oath-taking ceremony. Ebrahim later gathered support from key commanders within the group, affirming his leadership role. The MILF's central committee has expressed concerns regarding the new appointments, stating that only 35 of its nominees were selected for the BTA. They are worried about the integrity of the transition period and the commitment of all parties to the peace agreement.