Perspectives on the Mindanao Conflict

Approximately 30 participants—representing a range of organizations and institutions from the US State Department and the US Agency for International Development to the United States Institute of Peace, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Filipino embassy—attended a recent forum with Waging member Amina Rasul-Bernardo and Senator Santanina Rasul of the Philippines. Ms. Rasul-Bernardo focused her presentation on her forthcoming book, The Road to Peace and Reconciliation: Muslim Perspectives on the Mindanao Conflict; Senator Rasul discussed the current political situation in the country, focusing on women’s contributions.

Referring to the need to involve more women in conflict resolution at all levels, Senator Rasul spoke of the “sin of omission.” When involved, women have been instrumental in making peace processes work. Demonstrating this, Senator Rasul discussed the peace negotiations in 1988 in which the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Filipino government were trying to end decades of regional violence in the country. The parties were negotiating in Indonesia, and President Sukharto was ready to announce the signing of the agreement the next day when the talks broke down around midnight. The MNLF wanted to include a reference to Islamic values as part of the new education system, but the government opposed it. After another six hours of negotiations, President Sukharto was preparing to announce that the talks had collapsed. A member of the government negotiating team, Senator Rasul asked to address the participants. She approached the issue from a broad perspective, pointing out that Islamic values of truth, justice, and honor are also Filipino values, and that they have already been enshrined in the country’s constitution. She appealed to both sides to put aside fears and seek common ground based on their Filipino identity and common points between Islam and Christianity. Soon after, the parties found a compromise, and President Sukharto said, “You gentlemen were bickering and fighting for hours and almost collapsed the agreement. It took this brave woman only 10 minutes to fix it!”

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