Deadly conflicts

Several present day conflicts prove that wars provide nothing except death tolls, destruction, hate and economic devastation. Instead of war, negotiations are best way to solve all problems. Only three months ago Colombian government signed a peace agreement with the FARC rebels to start a peace process to end six decades of armed conflict that has cost the lives of thousands of innocent people.

According to the news, the Philippines government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have agreed on peace plan after 40 years of bloodshed that cost the lives of several thousand people.

MILF was formed in 1960, the group’s struggle was for a separate state country in the South Mindanao province.

 

The agreement was reached after several rounds of talks between the Philippine government and the MILF. The Philippine President Aquino and MILF leader Murad Ebrahim also held meetings in Japan. During negotiations Ebrahim urged the Philippine government to halt the military offensive in rebel-held areas. The Philippine army had launched several major offensives in MILF strong-hold areas and killed several key leaders. Several thousand people also lost their lives in militant revenge attacks, which affected the lives of ordinary people throughout the region.

After the peace agreement, in his speech, President Aquino said he hoped that both sides would abide by recent peace agreements and that the dreams of peace will come true in the south of country.

 

Khawaja Umer Farooq
Jeddah