July 20, 2012 News: Ghazali Jaafar, First Vice Chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), gave the assurances of full support and cooperation for the high officials of the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD).

Jaafar expressed this during courtesy meeting made by Ali Saleem, CHD Senior Programme Manager, at the Office of the First Vice Chairman at Crossing Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao couple of days ago.

“The MILF makes it as given commitment and obligation to extend full cooperation and support to CHD being a strong member of the International Contact Group (ICG) of the GPH – MILF Peace Process,” Jaafar stressed.

The meeting was very cordial and warm. Jaafar and Saleem even talked of possible post peace agreement scenarios with both complementing well views on post agreement priorities and challenges in focus.

Saleem expressed belief the MILF has all the mettle to succeed in the post agreement stage, peace building and post conflict development.

ICG was formed in 2010 by an agreement between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF to provide proper leverage and technical assistance for the current GPH – MILF peace talks being facilitated by Malaysia.

David Gorman, Mediation Adviser, is representing CHD in the ICG’s role in the GPH – MILF negotiations.

“I must convey as well our commendation to Dr. Gorman for his excellent performance and contribution with the ICG. He has been doing very well and we must congratulate him for that,” Vice chairman Jaafar said.

“CHD is an independent mediation organisation, based in Geneva Switzerland, dedicated to improving the global response to armed conflict,” CHD website states.

Presently, ICG is composed of state-members such as Japan, United Kingdom, Turkey and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and international nongovernment organizations – CHD, The Asia Foundation (TAF), Conciliation Resources, and Muhammadiyyah of Indonesia.

Saleem is a senior professional with more than 15 years of progressively responsible experience in foreign policy and development practice, providing technical and managerial leadership in peacebuilding, conflict transformation, facilitation, peace processes and consensus building.

He will take care of the CHD operations in the Philippines.