Moro National Liberation Front
The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF; Arabic: الجبهة الوطنية لتحرير مورو) is a political organization in the Philippines that was founded in 1972.[1][13] It started as a splinter group of the Muslim Independence Movement.[1] The MNLF was the leading organization among Moro separatists for about two decades beginning from the 1970s.[1]
Not to be confused with Moro Islamic Liberation Front.Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)
Disputed since 1996
Nur Misuari (MNLF) and Mus Sema (MNLF EC-15)[1]
October 21, 1972 – September 2, 1996
(as a secessionist group)[2]
September 2, 1996 – present
(as a political organization)
Mindanao, Philippines
State allies
Government of the Philippines
Libya (until 2011)
Government of Malaysia (Mus Sema faction)
Non-state allies
MILF (MNLF EC-15)[9]
Sulu Sultanate (Jamalul Kiram III loyalist) (Misuari faction)[10]
State opponents Government of Malaysia (Misuari faction)[5][6]
Non-state opponent
Al-Qaeda
MILF (Misuari faction)[11][12]
New People's Army
In 1996, the MNLF signed a landmark peace agreement with the Philippine government under the administration of President Fidel Ramos that saw the creation of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), an area composed of two mainland provinces and three island provinces in which the predominantly Muslim population enjoys a degree of self-rule.[14] Nur Misuari was installed as the region's governor but his rule ended in violence when he led a failed rebellion against the Philippine government in November 2001,[14] and fled to Sabah before being deported back to the Philippines by the Malaysian authorities.[1][15][16]
The MNLF is internationally recognized by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and its Parliamentary Union of OIC Member States (PUIC).[17] Since 1977, the MNLF has been an observer member of the OIC.[18] On January 30, 2012, MNLF became an observer member of the Parliamentary Union of Islamic Cooperation (PUIC), as approved during the 7th PUIC global session held in Palembang, Indonesia.[19]