The government of Malaysia will extend its observation mission for another three months in the southern region of the Philippines to oversee the conflict between the separatist organisation, Islamic Moor Liberation Front (IMLF) and the army. The announcement was made shortly after recent clashes between government forces and the IMLF resulting in 47 civilians dead and 360 thousand who had to flee from their homes. Both parts were scheduled to sign a memorandum to expand the ancestral lands of the Muslims in Mindanao, a key issue to achieve a definitive peace agreement. However, the Philippine Court of Justice blocked the agreement a day before and has still not announced their decision. The IMLF founded in 1978, fights to create an Islamic state for about four million Muslims in the southern region of the archipelago. Malaysia has been the mediator of the long conflict since negotiations began in 2001. It had earlier announced to withdraw from this mediation role. However, Malaysia continued in the process of negotiation on appeals by both the parties. Now the Malaysian authorities once again reiterated their unhappiness on the happenings in Philippines and their frustration on the failures of the talks.
MALAYSIA EXTENDS MISSION IN PHILIPPINES
The government of Malaysia will extend its observation mission for another three months in the southern region of the Philippines to oversee the conflict between the separatist organisation, Islamic Moor Liberation Front (IMLF) and the army.
