HIGHLIGHTS: Signing of the Bangsamoro

MANILA, Philippines – On March 27, 2014, years of talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) came to a successful end as the parties signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

The17-year peace talks between the government and the MILF concluded in January after both sides agreed on a historic firearms deal. Earlier, the panels signed annexes on transition, wealth and power-sharing, and the much-disputed provision on water territories. The CAB will serve as the basis for the Bangsamoro Basic Law which is aimed at protecting lasting peace and development in Mindanao and the whole country. (READ: Palace: Bangsamoro signing marks ‘future of security’)

The parties and different stakeholders came together to witness the groundbreaking event that will lead towards the crucial phase of implementation. The peace panels led by MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal and government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer signed the agreement while Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, MILF Chairman Murad Ebrahim and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak stood as witnesses in the event that has been 17 years in the making. (READ: TIMELINE: The long road to the Bangsamoro region)

Malaysia hosted talks between the Philippine government and Muslim rebels since 2001. For the past 8 years, it led the 60-strong International Monitoring team in Mindanao, which has 26 members from Malaysia and the rest from Indonesia, Brunei, Japan, Libya, Norway and the European Union.

Watch the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro below.