Ebrahim declines BTA appointment

DAVAO CITY Moro Islamic Liberation Front Chairman Ahod Balawag Ebrahim has declined his appointment to the 80-member Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

- KEITH BACONGCO

"I have decided to respectfully decline said appointment," Ebrahim said in a statement.

The former interim chief minister, who thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his appointment to the BTA, congratulated his successor Abdulraof Macacua.

"Personally known to me as 'Sammy Gambar,' ICM Macacua brings a wealth of experience to this new role. He leaves his position as the governor of Maguindanao de Norte while still being chief of staff of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) of the MILF," said Ebrahim, popularly known by his nom de guerre as AI Haj Murad Ebrahim.

The MILF chairman added that Macacua's leadership and commitment to peace and development in the region are well-documented.

"I wish him well in his endeavors." Ebrahim has been the BARMM's interim chief minister since 2019.