INTERVIEW - Ex-Scottish first minister says sustainable peace in Palestine must be ‘locally led’

- Lord McConnell, former UK special representative for peacebuilding, tells Anadolu lasting peace in Palestine must reflect needs, identity and aspirations of Palestinians Ex-first minister cites Bangsamoro peace process as example of how inclusive agreements can help sustain peace 'If there's going to be a solution to internal conflict, it needs to be appropriate for that area,' he says, pointing to Scotland, Northern Ireland as examples Sustainable peace in Palestine can only be achieved through a “locally led long-term solution,” said former First Minister of Scotland Lord Jack McConnell.

Speaking to Anadolu, McConnell, who has served as the UK special representative for peacebuilding, said that lasting peace cannot be achieved through top-down mandates from the outside. "If we try to impose solutions from outside, then these are never going to work in that area where the difference is so stark and the divide is so deep," he said on the sidelines of the 9th Mediation Conference in Istanbul which concluded last week. Asked how the UK should navigate trade-offs between strategic foreign policy interests and human rights commitments, McConnell insisted that core principles must take priority.

"In principle, human rights are not negotiable." "In my view the strategic interest of the UK is in maximizing our influence in the pursuit of democracy, the rule of law and human rights. Each situation is different but we must remember the basic principles." Bangsamoro blueprint He credited successful peacebuilding models like the 2014 landmark agreement on Bangsamoro in the southern Philippines for ending years of conflict. McConnell, who has served as an international advisor to the Bangsamoro peace, hailed the accord as a historic turning point that has preserved stability for 12 years through political transitions, pandemic disruptions, and localized security challenges.

Rooted in historical land loss, marginalization, and colonial grievances, the conflict in Mindanao saw the Muslim Moro population fight for self-determination for over 50 years. A string of peace initiatives between 1976 and 2008 failed to stick, but the 2014 agreement changed the game. The deal created the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), offering the Moro population autonomy. The region held its first elections last month since the interim administration was launched in 2019.

"The really important thing … this was an inclusive peace agreement that was founded on a mutual respect and an understanding of the history and the grievances and the identity of the Moro people as a whole." The agreement has sustained because it was “comprehensive, covering both the need for a political voice and administration for the Moro people,” allowing former rebels a way back into society, he said. "They have managed to deal with any issues by sticking to the agreement, going back to principles, and not allowing an individual incident perhaps to knock them off course," McConnell added. 'Solution needs to be appropriate for that area' McConnell pointed to Scotland and Northern Ireland as examples of how different governance arrangements can accommodate regional aspirations and address deep-rooted divisions while maintaining ties with the wider UK.

Reflecting on Scotland's experience, he recalled the decades-long campaign to establish a Scottish parliament, describing it as a "very passionate" effort. He said the country had ultimately achieved what he called "the best of both worlds." "Our colleagues in Northern Ireland had a different history. Their history was of deep division and conflict and violence, but similar outcomes," he said. While Scotland had found a “peaceful route” to autonomy while maintaining its relationship with the UK government, Northern Ireland’s model gave “both of the divided communities a seat at the table,” he said.

Referring to regions where significant minority communities seek greater political representation, McConnell said: "I think what this tells us is that around the world, particularly where conflicts are internal, where you have a significant minority that has either been violent or maybe not been violent, but has been demanding a voice, demanding some autonomy, if there's going to be a solution to that internal conflict, it needs to be appropriate for that area."

"It needs to reflect and respect the norms and the culture and the identity of those people who feel marginalized," he added.