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CAMP DARAPANAN, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte, January 20, 2026 — Moro Islamic Liberation Front-Central Committee (MILF-CC) Chairman Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim hosted Ambassador of Ireland to the Philippines Emma Hickey, who paid a courtesy call atthe MILF-CC Hall here.
The Irish delegation included Rt. Hon. Bertie Ahern, former Prime Minister of Ireland and a principal architect and signatory of the Good Friday Agreement; Ms. Erica Duffy, Deputy Head of Mission; and Conciliation Resources (CR) representatives Ciaran O’Toole and Exan Sharief.
Good Friday Agreement, or the Belfast Agreement signed on a Good Friday, was signed on April 10, 1998, a peace accord bringing together the British and Irish governments, and most of the political parties in Northern Ireland, on how Northern Ireland should be governed. (via Wikipedia)
The MILF and the Irish visitors led by the lady ambassador discussed topics focused on comparative insights from the Irish and Bangsamoro peace processes, with particular emphasis on post-agreement implementation, confidence building, and mechanisms to ensure compliance by all stakeholders where the exchange highlighted shared challenges faced by post-conflict societies such as in Ireland and the Bangsamoro in translating political agreements into durable peace and stability on the grassroots.
Ebrahim, the president of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), reaffirmed the importance of sustained international engagement, inclusive dialogue, and adherence to negotiated commitments as essential pillars in consolidating peace and stability in the Bangsamoro within and beyond its borders.
Recall that in February 2023, Conciliation Resources sponsored a visit to the United Kingdom of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leaders to learn about the successes and challenges of the Northern Ireland peace process.
Also the delegation from the Bangsamoro included representatives of Indigenous People’s communities, civil society, and women’s organizations.
They met with UK government representatives, peacemakers, and politicians from Northern Ireland, who was wracked by years of violence pitting the Irish Republican Army, armed wing Sinn Fein, and the British government.
The IRA-British conflict ended with the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. — UBJP/EDD K. USMAN (/)