Aceh is a little known Northwest province of Indonesia that shot into world fame on December 26, 2004. It was the closest point of land to the epicenter of the massive 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake that triggered a tsunami. The western coastal areas of Aceh, including Banda Aceh, the capital, were among the areas hardest-hit by the tsunami. Approximately 230,000 people were killed and 400,000 left homeless out of its total population of 4.01 million.
But Aceh, as one of the turbulent spots in the neighbourhood, has been on India's strategic radar screen for a long time. The reasons: its strategically important location, substantial natural resources, conservative muslim population vulnerable to radical Islamists, violent Free Aceh Movement (Gerakan Aceh Merdeka, GAM) movement that has cost over 9000 lives since 1976, and acts of terrorism, piracy and gun running that goes on in this area.
On 15 August, 2005, Aceh was once again in the news; this time for a happier reason. The Indonesian Government and the Free Aceh Movement signed a peace agreement that offers hope of ending a 30 year old conflict.
Aceh is located only 140 Km away from the Indira Point, India's Southernmost tip on the Great Nicobar Island. These two locations at the Western end of the Malacca Straits can monitor all shipping that passes through this Indian Ocean bottleneck towards or from Asia Pacific region. Currently, nearly 65000 military and non military vessels (size 500 tons and above) pass through this bottleneck every year. The non military vessels carry oil, general cargo, and some passengers. But many vessels pass through to carry out illegal fishing and other shady activities in or near India's Exclusive Economic Zone. Last year there were 37 recorded incidents of piracy in the area. Not many people to know that out of 572 islands in India's Andaman and Nicobar group, stretching over 700 km North-South, only 36 islands are inhabited. The others are vulnerable to illegal occupation for shady activities.
Eversince Indonesia's independence, there have been periodic armed conflicts between the Indonesian military and the Aceh rebels fighing for greater autonomy from the national government in Jakarta. The resistance has both economic and sociocultural roots. Many Acehnese people feel that most of the economic benefits of the province's natural resources, especially oil and gas, do not benefit the locals. The sociocultural divide between Aceh and the rest of Indonesia exists for several reasons. The Acehnese practice a more orthodox form of Islam than the rest of the archipelago, due to its historical trade links with the Middle East. Such dissatisfactions led to movements for greater autonomy or complete separation. The Free Aceh Movement emerged from out of the armed rebel groups fighting for secession.
Some years ago, Aceh was granted a special territory status, giving it a greater degree of autonomy. For example, the provincial government is empowered to construct a legal system independent of the national government. In 2003, a form of sharia, or Islamic law, was formally introduced in Aceh.
Ever since 9/11 and Bali bombing incident in October 2002, the GAM leaders have been at pains to emphasise that GAM is essentially a separatist movement against Jakarta rule. It is motivated by nationalism and not fundamentalism. Its goals are limited to Aceh and do not involve a struggle against the West. The group has denied any contacts with Al-Qaida, or Jemaah Islamiyah, the most dominating terrorist group in Southeast Asia although there have been several reports to the contrary. (For details, read ORF's 'Terrorism in Southeast Asia: Implications for South Asia', edited by Wilson John and Swati Prashar) There is also evidence that the GAM has been engaged in acts of terrorism, piracy and gunrunning.
Conflict between the GAM and the Indonesian forces led to the province being named a 'military operational zone' by the Indonesian Government. A 'Cessation of Hostilities Agreement' signed between the GAM and the Indonesian forces in 2002 collapsed in early 2003. The Indonesian Government then declared martial law in the province. In November 2003, the martial law was extended for a further six months. Combat fatigue and decimation of GAM middle ranks was evident before Aceh was struck by the devastating tsunami in December 2004. Their combined effect resulted in the GAM and the Indonesian Government declaring a cease-fire and reiterating the need to resolve the conflict. The Indonesian Government opened the province for international relief efforts although restrictions were placed on the press and aid workers in some areas. India sent one hospital ship, 40 tons relief materials and 3 tons of medical stores. Its relief work was highly appreciated by the Acehnese as well as the Government of Indonesia.
In the aftermath of the disaster, the Indonesian Government indicated willingness to discuss increased autonomy and amnesty for the former rebels. The talks held in Finland resulted in a peace agreement that was signed in Helsinki on 15 August, witnessed by 250 observers from the EU and five Southeast Asian countries. However, peace is not a done deal yet. There are several difficult details to be worked out in the full implementation of the agreement. On the positive side, the rebels have already handed over one quarter of arms held by them and a part of the Indonesian Army located in Aceh has been de-inducted from the province. On the negative side, some incidents of piracies and abductions have been reported even after the signing of the agreement.
Aceh is yet another example, which shows that religion by itself cannot hold a nation together. India's strategic interests require that the Aceh problem in Indonesia is resolved peacefully. That would promote greater stability in a sensitive area. The failure could allow undesirable external elements to make it a play ground for more troubles.
The authotr is a former Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army. He is presently President, Institute of Security Studies, Observer Resrarch Foundation (ORF), New Delhi
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