SUMMARY
In October 1976, ASNLF (Aceh-Sumatra National Liberation Front), the predecessor of GAM (Gerkan Aceh Merdeka: Free Aceh Movement), was established. The founder and self-proclaimed Wali Negara (the head of the state, a title dating back to the Aceh Sultanate and which was perceived to be a guardianship role) of the organisation was Hasan di Tiro of a well establish family and a descendent of the last Sultan of the Aceh region. Di Tiro was a former UN delegate who decided to support the Islam rebellion in Indonesia’s Aceh province in 1953 which subsequently led to the formation of GAM. During the organisation’s first three years, GAM was an intelligentsia consisting of approximately 70 highly educated members with the function of ideology formation. However, gradually the organisation attracted more and more members and the government’s initially successful attempt to put down the rebellion, was undermined.
The overall goal of GAM was to free Aceh and create an independent state in the region. GAM has a historical resentment towards Dutch colonialism which was perceived as an encroachment on Acehnese sovereignty. In addition, the forced annexation by Indonesia of the Aceh province in 1945 fuelled the aggression as Indonesia became yet another external ruler succeeding The Netherlands as rulers over Aceh. This strengthened the thought of secession. According to GAM, cultural, religious and social heritage had to be ensured as the Acehnese people had been deprived of these distinctive features. Due to the perceived illegal annexation by Indonesia, where the Acehnese people were never consulted regarding its legal status, the animosity was fuelled. The aims of the movement have fluctuated, however, three main characteristics have been discerned through the years; ethnic nationalism based on Islam, anti-capitalism and democracy, including human rights. Given that nationalism is ever present, there are strict measures regarding ethnic affiliations. The Acehnese population is characterised by religious affiliation (Islam), blood and the belonging to specific sukus (ethnic groups). The Islam part of the agenda has been promoted in the context of identity rather than a promotion of Islamism. However, the early goal was the re-emergence of the Sultanate of Aceh. After the Stavanger negotiations in 2002, the goal was altered and focused predominantly on democracy. As a whole, the agenda of GAM has been rather ambiguous as the lower echelon of GAM advocates a revival of a more present Islam within the Aceh society. In order to avoid factions and splits within the organisation, there has been a rather liberal attitude towards deviant opinions. The official agenda focuses on democracy, while the acceptance towards the deviant attitudes maintains the cohesiveness of the group.
During the 1980’s, GAM transformed itself, from a pure intelligentsia discussing the ideological context of Aceh’s future, to a movement including a guerrilla faction. Guerrilla fighters were sent to Libya for training and returned to Aceh in 1989. As the guerrilla men returned they assumed the task of passing on their training to Aceh based guerrillas. The ostensible strength of GAM triggered the government into launching a counterinsurgency campaign. GAM trembled as the governmental insurgency campaign Daerah Operas i Militer: Military operational zone (DOM) proved successful. However, the paramount leaders of GAM were hiding in exile and numerous lower ranking cadres had found safe heavens in Malaysia. Despite the success of the operation, it increased the resentment against Indonesia among the Acehnese people rather than deterred acts of resistance against the central authority in Jakarta. As a result, GAM grew in terms of members as Acehnese demands for justice were not adhered to. Consequently, GAM became a popular movement rather than a mere guerrilla organisation. Historically, GAM had difficulties appealing to the masses due to the fact that different tribes did not necessarily consider the Aceh people as one unitary ethnicity.
In order to finance its operations, GAM collected taxes from the Acehnese people. The movement perceived itself as a legitimate institution and additional forced donations from selected targets have been reported. GAM has claimed to have approximately 30 000 members, however, the number is more likely to reach a few thousand. Despite Libyan training, GAM has been considered rather weak in the context of armament with 1000-1500 modern firearms, two 60mm mortars, homemade bombs, a few grenade launchers and rocked propelled grenade launchers. The armament has been acquired domestically as well as globally.
Di Tiro escaped to a life in exile in early 1980’s, mainly in Sweden where he held a passport. It was in exile where Di Tiro actively maintained the operations of GAM. In addition, mid-level supporters resided in Aceh where the political aspirations were revived in 2002 in connection to the shift from anti-capitalism to democracy. Di Tiro returned to Indonesia in 2008, two years before his death. GAM consisted of one military faction, TNA (Army of the state. Previously named Angkatan Gerkan Aceh Merdeka: Forces of the Free Aceh Movement) and one civil faction. Despite the superiority of the civil faction, decisions are military imperatives. The military leader was Muzzakir Manaf who was superior to seventeen regional leaders. Despite political aspirations, the goal has been to transfer the judicial decisions regarding Ache governance to the people.
By the end of 2004, the Aceh province was hit hard by the devastating natural disaster of the 26 December Indian Ocean tsunami, with a death toll estimated at over 160 000 for Aceh and around 225 000 for the entire region. Moves toward peace emerged in the wake of the tsunami with both GAM and the Indonesian Government declaring unilateral ceasefires the day after the natural disaster. However, this ceasefire was violated already on 1 January 2005 with 175 battle related deaths during the first three months of the year.
Nevertheless, pressure from international donors of relief and reconstruction aid persuaded the Indonesian government and GAM to recommence peace negotiations. After five rounds of talks brokered by the former Finnish President Marti Ahtisaari between late January and mid-July the two sides agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding, which was signed on 15 August 2005. The agreement stipulated the demobilization and disbandment of GAMs rebel troops and their reintegration into civilian life. All demobilized combatants were given the right to employment or to appropriate farmlands. Several parts of the peace accord were implemented during the fall of 2005, as governmental forces withdrew from Aceh and GAM carried out decommissioning of their weapons.
GAM has been involved in the intra-state and one-sided categories of UCDP organised violence
