Conflict analysis of Muslim Mindanao

Conflict analysis of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in the Philippines which was founded in 1989.

Abstract

The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in the Philippines was founded in 1989. It consists of five provinces – Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. Conflict between Moro groups seeking an independent state in Mindanao, and the Government of the Philippines (GPH) has been ongoing for four decades. After numerous attempts to resolve the conflicts, a final peace agreement between the GPH and the Philippines’ largest rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), was signed in 2014. This paved the way for the establishment of a new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BAR) to replace the current ARMM. However, progress on the implementation of the peace agreement has been slow. The Bangsamoro Basic Law, which is the basis for the creation of the new BAR, has not been passed and seems unlikely to do so before the Philippines holds presidential elections in 2016. This report reviews the information available on conflict in Muslim Mindanao. This largely consists of grey literature, although a number of academic journal articles have also been published on the subject. A recent initiative led by International Alert and the World Bank, provides quantitative data on all the main drivers of conflict in the ARMM, disaggregated by province. This is called the Bangsamoro Conflict Monitoring System (BCMS).

Citation

Strachan, A.L. Conflict analysis of Muslim Mindanao. Governance and Social Development Resource Centre, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK (2015) 31 pp.

Conflict analysis of Muslim Mindanao

Published 1 January 2015