British envoy vows continued UK support for Mindanao peace process

(FN: KARON BEAUFILS) Bangsamoro Women Commission Chairperson Hadja Bainon G. Karon (center) expresses deep appreciation for the intervention and assistance the British embassy has extended to the region’s women’s group during the envoy’s exit visit to her office on July 10, 2025. (Photo from Bangsamoro Women Commission)

COTABATO CITY — The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to continue supporting the Mindanao peace process and the reconciliation efforts in the Bangsamoro region.

Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairperson, said the assurance was relayed to him by British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils during the envoy’s visit here on Thursday.

Beaufils was accompanied by Lord Jack McConnell, former First Minister of Scotland and current member of the UK House of Lords, in her courtesy visit to Ebrahim and MILF vice chair Mohagher Iqbal.

Ebrahim, former chief minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), said the visit stands as a testament to the UK government’s enduring commitment to peace-building, reconciliation, and inclusive development in the Bangsamoro region.

Beaufils, who will end her tour of duty in the Philippines, was also accompanied by Anna Snowgale Rupa, peace programme and political advisor at British Embassy Manila, and Second Secretary Nazra Abdi, and programme officer Johnson Badaw from the UK Embassy.

In a meeting held at the Em Manor hotel here, Lord McConnell commended the Bangsamoro peace process as a model for peaceful conflict resolution in many parts of the world, citing it as an inspiration for other territories facing prolonged disputes, such as Algeria and Morocco.

He expressed to Ebrahim and Iqbal his hopes and prayers for the continued progress and success of peace initiatives in Mindanao.

Ebrahim stressed the uniqueness and enduring success of the government and MILF peace process, describing it as one of the most comprehensive and resilient peace agreements in the world.

(FN: MACACUA BEAUFILS) BARMM interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua (center) poses with British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils and Lord Jack McConnell, former First Minister of Scotland and current member of the UK House of Lords, during the envoy’s visit here on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Photo from Chief Minister Macacua’s office)

He cited the “region’s significant transformation—from revolutionary struggle to governance, public service, and inclusive development for the Bangsamoro people.”

The British visitors lauded the MILF and its political arm, the Bangsamoro United Justice Party (UBJP), for victories attained during the recent midterm elections.

Earlier, Beaufils and McConnel separately met with BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua at his office.

“Her visit is an indication of her government’s steadfast support for genuine peace and development in the Bangsamoro region,” Macacua said in a statement.

In a heartfelt show of solidarity, Beaufils also met with the group in BARMM that is closest to her heart – the Bangsamoro Women Commission, underscoring the enduring partnership between the British government and BWC in advancing women’s empowerment and inclusive development across the Bangsamoro region.

BWC chairperson Hadja Bainon Karon has expressed her deep gratitude to the UK “for supporting gender-focused initiatives that have strengthened the Commission’s work in governance, capacity-building, and grassroots mobilization.”

A highlight of the visit to the BWC was the presentation of the Tarbiyyah Module, a culturally rooted educational resource developed with UK assistance to foster women’s leadership and spiritual growth.

Beaufils has appreciated the BWC’s continued dedication to peace and inclusion, while Lord McConnell reflected on the importance of international collaboration in promoting equality and resilience./coa