COTABATO CITY – Former Interim Chief Minister (ICM) Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim extended his congratulations to Hon. Abdulraof A. Macacua, who officially assumed the leadership of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Macacua, also known as “Sammy Gambar,” previously served as Governor of Maguindanao del Norte and remains the Chief of Staff of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Ebrahim expressed confidence in Macacua’s leadership, citing his extensive experience and dedication to peace and development in the region.
“As I step down as the first ICM of the BARMM, I shall hold firmly to the rope of Allah SWT and steadily seek His guidance,” Ebrahim stated. He reaffirmed his commitment to leading the MILF and its political party, the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), while continuing to provide guidance to Macacua in their shared mission of uplifting the Bangsamoro people.
Ebrahim also revealed that while President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had offered him a seat in the Bangsamoro Parliament, he had decided to decline the appointment. The decision raises questions about the MILF’s strategic direction in the transition period leading up to the 2025 elections, where the region will elect its own leaders for the first time.
Concerns Over Political Shake-up in BARMM
The transition of leadership in BARMM has not gone unnoticed by political observers, with former North Cotabato Governor Manny Piñol voicing concerns about the Malacañang-initiated changes in the region’s political setup.
Piñol, who played a significant role in the events leading to BARMM’s creation, described the current situation as uneasy. “For the first time in almost a century, we are enjoying the blessings of peace with the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the creation of the BARMM,” he said. He emphasized that while the BARMM government is not perfect, it should be given the opportunity to make corrective measures independently as part of true autonomy.
“There had been pervasive reports of questionable transactions, but we should allow the BARMM leadership to make corrective measures. After all, that is the true meaning of autonomy,” Piñol stated. He also urged national leaders to respect BARMM’s autonomy and avoid treating it as an extension of the national government. “The BARMM was built on the blood and lives not only of the Bangsamoro people but the tens of thousands of innocent civilians who had to endure decades of conflict,” he added.
Piñol warned that instability in BARMM could have ripple effects on neighboring provinces, including North Cotabato, which hosts special geographical areas under the autonomous region. “Tahimik na ang mga buhay namin. Ayaw na namin ng giyera at gulo. Let peace reign in our land by respecting the autonomy of the Bangsamoro Region,” he urged.
Implications for the Bangsamoro Region
The appointment of Macacua as ICM marks a significant moment in the ongoing political transition in BARMM. As a senior MILF leader, his leadership will be crucial in navigating the final phases of the peace process, particularly in relation to governance consolidation and security normalization. His dual role as ICM and BIAF Chief of Staff could spark discussions on the separation of governance from the MILF’s armed wing, a key concern in the decommissioning process.
Ebrahim’s decision to decline the parliamentary seat may indicate a strategic move to focus on MILF’s broader political influence through the UBJP rather than through direct participation in the BARMM legislature. This could influence the balance of power in the region as various factions within BARMM prepare for the 2025 elections.
The transition also underscores the national government’s role in ensuring stability in the Bangsamoro region. As BARMM continues its path towards full autonomy, cooperation between the MILF-led leadership and the national government will be crucial in addressing economic development, governance reforms, and peacebuilding efforts.
With Macacua at the helm and national political interventions causing concern among local stakeholders, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether BARMM can sustain its momentum in achieving meaningful autonomy and long-term stability for the Bangsamoro people.