 – Awarded for his role in promoting peace and dialogue in the Southern Philippines, particularly in the Mindanao conflict1_small.png)
A Symbolic Reunion: The 2022 Meeting
On September 11, 2022, history was made when Nur Misuari and Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim, chair of the MILF and Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), met in Davao City. This encounter marked the first time in over two decades that the leaders of both fronts sat down together, signaling a new era of unity and solidarity among the Bangsamoro leadership3.
The meeting was imbued with symbolism and emotion. Misuari, now 83, described it as “a great day for the Bangsamoro homeland,” while Ebrahim emphasized its significance as a “symbol of unity and solidarity.” Both leaders expressed hope that this renewed partnership would guide the Bangsamoro people “towards the end, through our unity and solidarity, a solid unity and solidarity that will guide our destiny as a nation”3.
This historic event was further highlighted by the upcoming inaugural session of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), a body tasked with overseeing the transition to a fully autonomous Bangsamoro government. The BTA, led by Ebrahim, included representatives from both the MILF and MNLF, as well as children of revolutionary leaders, reflecting a generational continuity in the struggle for self-determination3.
Implications for the Bangsamoro Future
The reunion of Misuari and Ebrahim was widely hailed as long overdue and essential for the realization of lasting peace and development in Mindanao. Civil society leaders and government officials alike expressed optimism that this unity would translate into concrete actions and policies to improve the lives of the Bangsamoro people3.
As MNLF and MILF leaders converge under the inclusive platform of the BTA, there is renewed hope that the decades-long conflict—which has claimed an estimated 150,000 lives—will finally give way to genuine peace, social cohesion, and inclusive development in the Bangsamoro homeland.
