Peace seems close for Philippines and rebel Muslims

The Philippine president   Benigno Aquino III announced that a peace deal had made between the nation's largest Muslim rebel group. The significance as stated in the Christian Science Monitor article is that this was the first "major breakthrough in ending a decades long-insurgency". In the peace agreement, the Muslim minority will get an "autonomous region in the south". If the current peace agreement is shown to be successful, a final peace deal will be reached by 2016.  The Philippine President called for cooperation between the countries government and rebel Muslim vice chairman Ghadzali Jaafar, who supports the peace agreement .  

Secondly, the deal marks the "most significant progress in 15 years between the 11,000 Moro Islamic Liberation front, ending an uprising that has left 120,000 dead and has displaced 2 million others," also which was cited in the Christian Science Article Monitor.  Furthermore, the peace calls for the formation of a 15 member "Transition Commission" to set up the final action of granting and laying out the foundations of the autonomous Muslim region within the next two years. Under the agreement the Muslim region will have equal protection under the law and Muslim rebel forces would be "deactivated gradually beyond use".  Finally in my view this shows the progress that is achievable, and is clearly significant considering that the peace agreement is the first action being taken and has internation support. 

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Latest-News-Wires/2012/1007/Peace-seems-close-for-Philippines-and-rebel-Muslims

Sarah Cline 
Dr. Muck 
International Relations.