Peace Talks in the Philippines: Ways out of the Impasse
National Reforms Needed to End Local Conflict in Mindanao
SWP Comment 2011/C 27, 04.10.2011, 4 Pages Research AreasNational Reforms Needed to End Local Conflict in Mindanao
SWP Comment 2011/C 27, 04.10.2011, 4 Pages Research AreasPeace negotiations between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have reached an impasse. The longer the peace process drags on without the government being able to make the independence movement any substantial concessions, the greater the risk of fragmentation and radicali-sation of the MILF-led insurgency in Mindanao. Many of the obstacles to a peace treaty are structural in nature however. This includes constitutional hurdles that make it practically impossible to establish a largely autonomous administrative entity for the Muslim population – the Moros – in Mindanao. These difficulties are compounded by grave deficits in the Philippine security sector that encourage the activities of private and state-backed militias. Constitutional change and security sector reforms are therefore central to ending the conflict. So far, Germany and the EU have supported the peace process primarily through development cooperation. Apart from this, they should also work to promote relevant national reforms and coordinate these with the peace process.