General information
Type of Incompatibility: Territory
Comment on Type of Incompatibility: The incompatibility was over the territory of Aceh. The 236 803 km2 region is located in the northern part of the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
Territory: Aceh
Date of first stated goal of incompatibility: 1976-12-04
Comment on date of first stated goals of incompatibility: Four months after the declaration of Indonesian independence, on 17 December 1949 the province of Aceh was established with a large degree of autonomy. In August 1950, the Acehnese autonomy was removed as the province was incorporated into the province of North Sumatra. This move, as well as discontent with other Indonesian policies - for example the secularisation of society - made Acehnese political and religious leaders to support the Darul Islam rebellion in the 1950s fighting for an Indonesian Islamic state. The Acehnese governor Daud Beureueh declared Aceh independent from Indonesia on 20 September 1953.
In 1959, Indonesian President Sukarno restored Aceh as a autonomous province with greater control over local government and religion. In 1962, the Darul Islam rebellion ends.
On 4 December 1976, Hasan di Tiro, chairman of the National Liberation Front of Aceh, declared the independent state of Aceh with himself as Head of State. In the declaration it was declared that the state of Indonesia was a front to cover up Javanese colonialism, set up by the former Dutch colonialists. It concludes that the Acehenese have no quarrel with the Javanese, as long as the latter stay away from Aceh and let the State of Aceh be "masters in our own house:..; to make our own laws:..; to become the guarantor of our own freedom and independence:..; to become equal with all the peoples of the world:.. In short, to be sovereign in our own fatherland!"
It was reported in July 1990, that a letter circulated in the local press where a group calling themselves the National Liberation Front Aceh Sumatra claimed to have killed Indonesian soldiers and spies recently, as part of the fight for independence from Indonesia.
Date of first use of armed force: 1977-01-01
Comment on first use of armed force: The government responded swiftly to the independence declaration, and the military managed to arrest most of the leaders of GAM during 1976-77.
Date of first battle related death: 1989-04-20
Comment on first battle related death: In the early 1980s, the GAM leader Teungku Hasan M. di Tiro fled and received political asylum in Sweden.
Acehnese who had received military and religious training in Libya started to sneak into the region in 1989. They called themselves the ASNLF (Aceh-Sumatra National Liberation Front), but soon it became clear that they were the revived GAM. News of their activities soon spread and led to a return of many Acehnese from Malaysia, interested in fighting for an independent state.
It was reported that the first attacks on police and military installations by GAM were committed in late May 1989, when two policemen were killed in Tiro district and their weapons stolen. This was possibly a revenge-attack for the killing of a local Aceh Merdeka-sympathizer killed by one of the policemen about a month earlier.
In April 1989, it was reported that the Indonesian government sent an armoured unit to investigate anti-government speeches by radicals who had received Libyan educations.
In November 1989, international media started reporting on deaths and arrests of GAM members.
Date of conflict reached 25 battle releated deaths: 1990-06-06
Comment on conflict reached 25 battle releated deaths: In November 1989, the first reports on arrests and killings of GAM-member were publicised. It is unclear, and unlikely, that there were battle-related incidents leading to more than 25 dead in 1989.
Attacks on military and police installations in Banda Aceh increased in the first half of 1990, Aceh was declared a DOM (Daerah Operasi Militer, Military Operations Area) and a large-scale government campaign against GAM members and supporters began. In June a military spokesman said that in the past two months, at least 17 government soldiers had been shot dead by suspected separatists in raids and ambushes. In April the military reported to have accidently shot dead five civilians during recent operations against GAM rebels in Indonesias westernmost province of Aceh. GAM rebels were reportedly killed in a number of events. On 1 May 1990 a man believed to be a member of Aceh Merdeka near the industrial town of Lhokseumawe. On 28 May GAM launched a raid on a military outpost at the village of Buloh Blang Ara, killing four soldiers and one civilian. On 6 June 1990 two GAM members were ambushed and killed in a village near Langsa while planning an attack on military outposts
Annual information
This section contains annual information systematically collected by the UCDP.
1976
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1989
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 6 |
| Best | 6 |
| Low | 6 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1990
Primary Parties: Government of Indonesia - GAM
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 127 |
| Best | 72 |
| Low | 61 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1991
Primary Parties: Government of Indonesia - GAM
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 133 |
| Best | 58 |
| Low | 57 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1992
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 8 |
| Best | 8 |
| Low | 8 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1993
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 2 |
| Best | 2 |
| Low | 2 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1994
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 2 |
| Best | 2 |
| Low | 2 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1995
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 7 |
| Best | 7 |
| Low | 7 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1998
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 13 |
| Best | 9 |
| Low | 9 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1999
Primary Parties: Government of Indonesia - GAM
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 258 |
| Best | 187 |
| Low | 179 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2000
Primary Parties: Government of Indonesia - GAM
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 332 |
| Best | 286 |
| Low | 242 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2001
Primary Parties: Government of Indonesia - GAM
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 306 |
| Best | 278 |
| Low | 254 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2002
Primary Parties: Government of Indonesia - GAM
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 571 |
| Best | 466 |
| Low | 429 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
Peace agreements
Name of peace agreement: Points for Further Consultation
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2002-02-03
Comment of peace agreement: Peace Process Agreement
This agreement was reached under through talks hosted by the Henry Dunant Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue between Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement. The parties set the agenda for future talks and agreed to meet within 30-45 days to agree on next steps and to complete an agreement on a cessation of hostilities, and again in another 30 days to discuss modalities for a political dialogue.
The points for further discussion were specified to be addressed in stages: (1) cessation of hostilities and all acts of violence in 2002, (2) all-inclusive and transparent political dialogue for Aceh in 2002-3, (3) democratically elected government of Aceh through free and fair elections May 2004, and (4) review of the process by the parties. In particular, the political dialogue would advance efforts to address the incompatibility. It did not, however, address GAM's interest in independence.
Signatories: Government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (Gerkan Aceh Merdeka: GAM)
Comment of signatories: Comprehensive peace agreement signed on 3 February 2002.
Not signed, but parties are stated to be the Government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (Gerkan Aceh Merdeka: GAM)
Third parties: Henry Dunant Centre for Human Dialogue
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: The Henry Dunant Centre for Human Dialogue is a Swiss Human Rights NGO that had overseen the whole negotiation process between the belligerents.
Ended: True
Date agreement ended: 2003-05-18
Comment of Duration: Violence continued in Aceh, right after the agreement was signed. At the end of December 2002 a Joint Security Committee (JSC) was deployed to monitor ceasefire violations. On 20 January 2003 National Defense Forces (TNI) Commander General Endriartono Sutarto stated: "If they won't adhere to it (the agreement), we could cancel it unilaterally,". Seven days later the highest ranking commander within the military wing of GAM, Muzakir Manaf, replied that GAM troops would fully observe the ceasefire order from GAM leader in exile Hasan Tiro upon implementation of the peace agreement. On 10 April 2003 the government demanded GAM leave its plan to establish an independent state in Indonesia or they would authorize military operations. On the same date GAM rejected the government's request to hold a Joint Council meeting to settle the situation. GAM continued to be willing to negotiate but not to abandon its claim for independence. On 12 May 2003 the Indonesian government withdrew from the agreement citing the rebels' failure to renounce their claims to independence.
New talks were held on 17 May in Tokyo to save the agreement. Indonesian officials continued to press GAM to recognise the "unitary state of Indonesia," and accept special autonomy for Aceh rather than independence and start disarming as a prerequisite for saving the agreement. At the same time GAM stated that they would not attend the talks until several detained delegates were released. The delegates were released late night 17 May and could join peace talks over the phone on 18 May. After the Tokyo talks failed to secure an accord GAM stated their readiness to continue fight the regime if the government continued their fight. After midnight on 18 May 2003, President Megawati Sukarnoputri gave the military permission to commence military operations against GAM.
Full-text peace agreement
Name of peace agreement: Cessation of Hostilities Framework Agreement
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2002-12-09
Comment of peace agreement: Partial peace agreement
On 9 December 2002 the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) signed a peace accord in Geneva, Switzerland.
The first point in the agreement is a cessation of hostilities, combined with a redeployment of both belligerents’ troops to defensive positions. These defensive positions were agreed upon in a joint commission. The next step in the process was a phased disarmament and demobilizations program, under which the GAM rebels were to place there weapons in prearranged sites and fully disarm within seven months. There was also a partial demilitarization of the Aceh province. Throughout the peace process policing duties and law and order would continue to be the responsibility of the Indonesian police.
The parties further agreed to the acceptance of the NAD law, giving the Aceh province a broad autonomy, but without the authority over policing. The peace process was to be a democratic and inclusive process that would lead up to a democratically elected government for the Aceh province. The parties also agreed that this first settlement would lead to further negotiations, seeing that GAM had not had all of their demands satisfied. An international monitoring committee was established to oversee the process.
Signatories: Chief negotiator for Indonesia, Wiryong Sastrohandoyo and Chief negotiator for the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), Zaini Abdullah.
Comment of signatories: Comprehensive peace agreement
Third parties: Henry Dunant Centre for Human Dialogue
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: The Henry Dunant Centre for Human Dialogue is a Swiss Human Rights NGO that had overseen the whole negotiation process between the belligerents.
Ended: True
Date agreement ended: 2003-05-18
Comment of Duration: Violence continued in Aceh, right after the agreement was signed. At the end of December 2002 a Joint Security Committee (JSC) was deployed to monitor ceasefire violations. On 20 January 2003 National Defense Forces (TNI) Commander General Endriartono Sutarto stated: "If they won't adhere to it (the agreement), we could cancel it unilaterally,". Seven days later the highest ranking commander within the military wing of GAM, Muzakir Manaf, replied that GAM troops would fully observe the ceasefire order from GAM leader in exile Hasan Tiro upon implementation of the peace agreement. On 10 April 2003 the government demanded GAM leave its plan to establish an independent state in Indonesia or they would authorize military operations. On the same date GAM rejected the government's request to hold a Joint Council meeting to settle the situation. GAM continued to be willing to negotiate but not to abandon its claim for independence. On 12 May 2003 the Indonesian government withdrew from the agreement citing the rebels' failure to renounce their claims to independence. New talks were held on 17 May to save the agreement. After the talks failed Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri signed a decree authorising a military operation and imposed martial law in Aceh province.
Full-text peace agreement
2003
Primary Parties: Government of Indonesia - GAM
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1365 |
| Best | 868 |
| Low | 839 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2004
Primary Parties: Government of Indonesia - GAM
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1075 |
| Best | 935 |
| Low | 932 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2005
Primary Parties: Government of Indonesia - GAM
Dimension: Internal
Comment on Dimension: The conflict took place between the Indonesian government and a guerilla movement based on Indonesian. Thus, the conflict was of an intrastate character.
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 215 |
| Best | 213 |
| Low | 213 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
Peace agreements
Name of peace agreement: Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2005-08-15
Comment of peace agreement: Full peace agreement
The agreement was signed in Helsinki, Finland, on 15 August 2005 under the mediation and facilitation of former Finnish president Marti Ahtisaari.
The agreement stipulated the demobilization and disbandment of GAM’s 3,000 rebel troops and their reintegration into civilian life. All demobilized combatants are given the right to an employment or to appropriate farmlands. The agreement also restricts the presence of government troops in the region, and calls for a withdrawal of all non-organic forces from Aceh. The police force in Aceh was to be retrained, in order to firmly entrench democratic and human rights values in the doctrine of the forces.
The territorial incompatibility was regulated through an agreement on self-governance for Aceh. Aceh will govern itself in all sectors of public affairs except foreign affairs, external defence, national security, monetary and fiscal matters, justice and freedom of religion. The government of Indonesia was charged with agreeing in consultation on international agreements and legislation that affected the Aceh region. Traditional institutions of Aceh were to be reinstated.
Measures were also agreed upon to legalize the formation of Aceh-based political parties, and to hold elections in 2006 and 2009 for the executive and legislative branches of the Acehnese self-governing entity. Agreement was also reached on the sensitive issue of natural resources; 70% of revenue from the exploitation of these resources would be channeled to the Aceh government. The agreement also stipulated the establishment of a Human Rights Court, a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a Reintegration Fund. The fund would be used to facilitate the reconstruction of the country and the resettlement of ex-combatants and displaced persons. An Aceh Monitoring Mission was to monitor and verify the implementation of the peace agreement, and would consist of observers from EU and ASEAN countries.
Finally a general amnesty was proclaimed, and a release of political prisoners and detainees was stipulated.
Signatories: Indonesian negotiator Hamid Awaluddin and GAM leader Malik Mahmud
Comment of signatories: Comprehensive peace agreement
Third parties: Crisis Management Initiative, EU and ASEAN
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: The Crisis Management Initiative (CMI) is a Finnish, non-governmental organisation which is working within security sphere. The Chairman of the Board is former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari. The CMI, under the lead of Martti Ahtisaari, facilitated and brokered the negotiations that lead to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding 15 August 2005.
Furthermore, an Aceh Monitoring Mission was to monitor and verify the implementation of the peace agreement, and would consist of observers from EU and ASEAN countries.
Comment of Duration: 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. Another positive trend was that the violence decreased substantially after the peace accord was in place. Moreover, the implementation of the peace agreement took an important step forward when elections were held in Aceh on 11 December 2006. The elections resulted in victories for candidates associated with the former separatist GAM.
Full-text peace agreement
2006
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2008
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 5 |
| Best | 5 |
| Low | 5 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2014
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
Conflict Archive
This section contains annual information no longer systematically collected by the UCDP.
1976 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
1989 Conflict Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: "It was reported that attacks on police and military units killed ""some two dozens"" of officers from early 1989 to early 1990. The exact dates are not available.
It should also be noted that at least 47 military officers based in Aceh was dismissed in early 1989, possibly due to an anti-narcotics campaign. Some of these are believed to have joined GAM, but it is likely that they also acted independently against military and police installations.
The anti-narcotics campaign early in 1989 also triggered tensions between the police and local cannabis-producers, who also could have participated in the violence."
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1990 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In June, President Suharto designated Aceh as a DOM (Daerah Operasi Militar, special combat zone), and ordered 6000 additional troops to the region. The operation was intended to "crush" GAM, and included military reprisals on villages believed to be providing sanctuary or assistance to the rebels.
Several reports suggested that the Indonesian troops were responsible for human rights violations and attacks on civilians in their campaign against GAM. It was also suggested that the violations accelerated after the deployment of Kopassus units from outside of the region in mid-1990.
As Indonesian military operations increased in Aceh, GAM started targeting civilians that were suspected informers or non-Acehnese settlers. In late June, the military authorities described GAM atrocities against civilians in a series of high-profile press conferences. In 1991, some GAM members acknowledged responsibility for these activities but it also became clear that not all GAM members and sympathizers supported the use of violence against civilians.
In November, the Indonesian Regional Military Commander Major General H.R. Pramono acknowledged that "mysterious killings" (anonymous death squads) had been used in the area. He claimed that the strategy was bad but "...our goal is not bad." He also claimed that only GAM-members had been killed in these actions.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: "The Aceh National Liberation Front estimated that more than 5000 people had been killed during the year.
In January 1991, Asia Watch reported that around 1000 people had died in Aceh. Other estimates ranged between 400 - 4000. These numbers did not exclude attacks on civilians, something that was reported on a regular basis."
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1991 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In March, government and military authorities claimed that GAM had been crushed by the operations against them. In the same month, the counter-insurgency operations led to the flights of hundreds of Acehnese into neighbouring Malaysia.
Throughout the year, several reports suggested that the military forces had attacked civilians. It was also reported that extra-judicial public executions and torture had taken place throughout Aceh. This was denied by government officials.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: There were many reports of attacks on civilians, and many bodies were found without identification. It was therefore hard to assess the number of battle-related deaths. The estimate given above should be considered a very conservative low.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: YES
Type of termination: No or Low Activity
Date of termination: 1991-12-31
Comment on Termination Date: It is unclear what date the last battle-related incident occurred, since the Indonesian military operation continued in the region.
1992 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: Some extrajudicial killings were still reported, but the scale diminished throughout the year.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1993 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1994 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1995 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1998 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: After Malaysian authorities had deported 545 Acehnese from detention centres in March, riots broke out in the centres. Four days later, 14 Acehnese asylum seekers drove a truck into the UNHCR compound in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Another ten days later, 35 Acehnese broke into the embassies of the USA, Switzerland, France, and Brunei in Kuala Lumpur. All but the US embassy handed them over to Malaysian authorities.
After Indonesian president Suharto was forced to resign in May, reports of human rights violations during the DOM period in Aceh became flooding in. In early August, mass graves were discovered in Aceh, supporting the claims of many human rights groups.
On 7 August, the newly installed Indonesian president BJ Habibie formally lifted the DOM-status of the Aceh region, and announced troop withdrawals. Habibie also appointed a commission to investigate the human rights violations reported in the area. General Wiranto - commander of Indonesias armed forces - apologized to Acehnese for atrocities committed by the military.
As the military started moving out of Aceh, on 22-31 August, riots erupted that expanded into looting and violence against ethnic Chinese businessmen in the province. The military withdrawal was stopped and the government instead sent troops back into Aceh.
Some analysts have suggested that the troubles following the termination of the DOM was instigated by rogue elements hired by the Indonesian military. It has been claimed that the military was unhappy with the development in East Timor, and their loss of political power in Indonesia, as well as trying to protect economic interests in Aceh.
Many GAM members who had fled to Malaysia during the DOM-years started to return to Aceh, as anti-Indonesian public opinion made the organisation grow quickly. In November, clashes between GAM and the security forces were occurring on a regular basis.
In November, a mass grave was discovered within the grounds of the PT Arun liquefied natural gas refinery site. This strengthened the impression among Acehnese that the industrial projects in the area was closely linked to the Indonesian military operations.
In December, GAM members allegedly carried out an attack on Indonesian soldiers returning from leave, an incident that led to retaliation from the military.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The incidents in November-December that can were battle-related only led to 9 battle-related casualties. All in all, it has been estimated that less than twice that figure were killed in total including in the rioting.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1999 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The announcement of a future referendum on independence in East Timor led to the formation of groups advocating a similar solution in Aceh. These groups were mostly started by students, and non-violent movements such as the SIRA (Sentral Informasi Referendum Aceh, Information Center for a Referendum on Aceh), became increasingly popular among the Acehnese public.
At demonstrations organised by SIRA in March, military forces fired into the crowd wounding over 100 people. In May, another incident was recorded in Lhokseumawe where some 40 demonstrators were killed, and in July, between 57 and 70 people were killed at an Islamic boarding school in Beutong Ateuh.
After the East Timor referendum was held in September, large-scale demonstrations where hundreds of thousands Acehnese took to the streets demanding a referendum in the following months.
The military repression of groups like SIRA led to increased support for GAM and a violent struggle for independence within the Acehnese public opinion.
GAM pursued a strategy of driving Javanese settlers out of the province. At least 15 000 Javanese - some that had lived in Aceh since the 1970s - where violently forced to leave their homes.
Towards the end of the year, GAM started to establish their own alternative administration in areas under its control. They reorganized the village structures from the Indonesian system of village heads to the traditional idea of a council of village elders.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: "Low estimate: 64
High estimate: 239
The figures reported above consist only of battle-related deaths. The total estimate of casualties in the region during the year, including one-sided attacks and rioting, is often belived to just below 400."
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Sweden, Thailand
Comment on Third Party Involvement: Thailand and Sweden provided good offices for talks between the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement on 24 and 26 July.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2000 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In mid-November, Indonesian military fired on groups of civilians on their way to attend a pro-referendum rally. According to the Aceh branch of the National Human Rights Commission claimed that 30 people were killed. In December, three humanitarian aid workers from RATA (Rehabilitation Action for Torture Victims in Aceh) were killed. As a consequence, other NGOs scaled back programmed activities in North Aceh.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: "Low estimate: 217
High estimate: 331
The figures presented above only concern battle-related casualties. While the conflict was active in the region of Aceh, there was also a lot of targeting of civilians by both sides.
The estimates for the intensity of the conflict often incorporated these incidences which is why it was reported that 300 people died in January-May 2000. New reports in September claimed that since the introduction of the ""Humanitarian Pause"" (2 June), another 69 civilians and 14 members of the security forces had been killed.
In December, it was reported that the conflict had killed about 800 people throughout the year, making it twice as severe as the previous year.
The information on casualties was not reliable, making it difficult to know who was responsible for incidents. The GAM organisational structure consisting of many small units acting independently made it difficult to assess whether it was them or other groups involved in many clashes. GAM officials usually did not comment on incidents."
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: On 27 January, the Indonesian ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Hassan Wirajuda, met with GAM leader Hasan di Tiro. The two agreed on further meetings. In March, the Indonesian acting State Secretary Bondan Gunawan travelled to GAM-held territory in Aceh and met with the military commander Abdullah Syafie.
On 12 May, the Indonesian government and GAM representatives in Geneva signed a ceasefire to create a "Humanitarian Pause." The ceasefire begun on 2 June.
Contacts continued between the two parties, and the ceasefire was lengthened to 15 January 2001.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Henri Dunant Centre, Switzerland
Comment on Third Party Involvement: The Switzerland-based Henri Dunant Centre(HDC), a non-governmental organization, proposed to be a mediator between the Indonesia government and GAM. A ceasefire was signed in Geneva on 12 May. Talks continued in Banda Aceh in late May with HDC as a facilitator. In August and September, the parties met again in Geneva and expressed their will to start a political dialogue. A truce was extended until 5 January.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2001 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: Another law was passed in the year giving the local government in Aceh a higher percentage of the revenue of its natural resources. Due to its international debt, most of the revenue was used to pay back loans provided by the World Bank and the IMF.
On 9 March, Exxon Mobil shut down oil production in Aceh, claiming that threats from GAM had compromised the security of company employees and operations. According to Indonesian news agencies, GAM had attempted to convince Exxon Mobil to pay "protection fees" to GAM instead of the Brimob (Indonesian Mobile Brigade).
Two weeks later, Exxon hinted that the company might declare "force majeure" on its oil and gas contracts, after gunfire had been reported around its facilities. The first "zones of peace" agreed on by GAM and the government were located at Exxons operations.
In June-July, a military offensive was launched in the region, with the intent of wiping out the resistance.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: "Low estimate: 208
High estimate: 503
In April, the Human Rights organisation Kontras reported that 256 people had been killed in 79 clashes so far in 2001. The organisation also reported that between April-August, 539 people were killed in 193 incidents.
Sources claimed that the military offensive starting in April led to as many as 1000 deaths in its first five months.
In most cases it was impossible to determine who was responsible for acts of violence, especially aimed at civilians since uniforms are rarely worn and each side blames the other for the attacks. As a consequence, the most widely used term for perpetrators was ""unknown person""."
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: On 19 January, the ceasefire (now referred to as the moratorium) was extended for another month, following talks in Switzerland.
Talks continued and an agreement was made to extend the moratorium indefinitely and rename it damai melalui dialog (peace through dialogue). Four meetings were held between on-the-ground GAM and Indonesian commanders who agreed on a four-point code of conduct and the establishment of "zones of peace."
The first "zones of peace" where located in Bireuen and North Aceh and set to last between 22 March - 3 April, where Exxon Mobils operations were located.
On 12 May, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed implementing a continued ceasefire with a view to kick-start the peace process.
In September, newly elected president Megawati visited Aceh, but the talks ended without an agreement.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Henri Dunant Centre, Switzerland
Comment on Third Party Involvement: In 2001 HDC set up a team of wise men as mediators. The team included US marine general Anthony Zinni, ex-Thai Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan, ex-Yugoslav ambassador to Indonesia Budimir Loncar and ex-Swedish diplomat Bengt Söderberg.
In January, talks on ceasefire and further meetings were continued. In July, talks in Geneva ended with an accord to meet again to end the violence.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2002 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: There were reports that Javanese self-defence militias had formed, but it remained unclear whether this development had been instigated or supported by the Indonesian military.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: "Low estimate: 112
High estimate: 227
Best estimate: 112
Much violence in Aceh during the year was directed against civilians, while the figures presented by UCDP only focus on battle-related deaths."
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: On 9 December 2002 the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) signed a peace accord - the "Cessation of Hostilities Framework Agreement - in Geneva, Switzerland. The accord included: substantial autonomy for Aceh, the holding of elections (in 2004) in order to create a provincial legislature and government, partial demilitarization of Aceh, disarming of the GAM within 7 months, the creation of a team of international monitors to oversee the peace and an agreement to hold further talks on subjects not touched upon in the accord. Seeing as the GAM had not given up its demand for full independence for the province, the future status of the province was left for future negotiations.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Henri Dunant Centre, Switzerland
Comment on Third Party Involvement: Talks about reducing violence and security implementation continued in Geneva in February 2002, however, no breakthrough was reached after the first round. In May, both parties agreed on an autonomy package as a starting point for negotiations after HDC-mediated talks.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2003 Conflict Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: "Low estimate: 445 High estimate: 1161 Best estimate: 478
Much of the violence in Aceh were directed against the civilian population, while the estimates presented by UCDP focus explicitly on battle-related deaths."
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: In December 2002, with the help of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HDC) and support of the US, Japan, EU and the World Bank (the quartet) Indonesia and GAM signed the Cessation of Hostilities Framework Agreement (COHA). On 19 May 2003 however the peace talks in Tokyo collapsed. The collapse of peace talks led the Indonesian President Megawati to launch a full-scale military operation against GAM.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HDC) and support of the US, Japan, EU and the World Bank (the quartet), Sweden.
Comment on Third Party Involvement: The mediators of the HDC and the partied reached an agreement on a monitoring body for the peace process in Aceh and sanctions against breaches of the ceasefire. In April and May, Sweden provided good office for another meeting between the parties and the mediators of the HDC.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2004 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: Military operations were continuing as before and civilian casaulties were still reported. Between May 2003 and May 2004 a state of military emergency was declared in the Indonesian province of Nangroe Aceh Darussalam.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: "Low estimate: 738
High estimate: 888
best estimate: 738
The estimated battle-deaths are mainly based on information that was released by the government (army). Other sources are very rare. Independent verification of the figures is almost impossible. The authorities severely restrict the access of foreign journalist to the region."
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: Moves toward peace emerged in the wake of the 26 December tsunami, which devastated parts of the province on the northern tip of Sumatra island and caused massive loss of life.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Comment on Third Party Involvement: ICRC acted as a mediator between GAM and the government side in negotiations on the release of prisoners.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2005 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In the end of 2004 Aceh was devastated by the tsunami-catastrophe. The day after the natural disaster both GAM (Free Aceh Movement) and the Indonesian Government declared unilateral ceasefires but this ceasefire was violated already in the eve of the new 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 a memorandum of understanding. GAM and the Indonesian Government signed the peace accord 15 August 2005.
This peace accord was successful in that sense that only 2 battle-related deaths was reported after the signing, compared with 210 for the whole year. The clashes between GAM and the Government are heavily concentrated to the beginning of the year with 176 of the 210 during the first three months of the year.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: "Low estimate: 213
High estimate: 215
Best estimate: 213
The battle related deaths for 2005 was heavily concentrated to the beginning of the year. With 170 out of 213 battle-deaths related in the two first months of the year and only seven battle related deaths after the signing of the peace agreement between The Government of Indonesia and GAM 15 August 2005.
The battle related deaths during 2005 was disproportionate with only 6 confirmed governmental soldiers death. The rest of the battle related deaths were compromised of 64 rebels, 4 civilian and 136 unknown. The unknown consist of confirmed deaths where no independent source report who was killed. Usually, GAM claim it was civilians while the Government argue that they were rebels."
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: In the end of 2004 Aceh was devastated by the tsunami-catastrophe. The day after the natural disaster both GAM (Free Aceh Movement) and the Indonesian Government declared unilateral ceasefires but this ceasefire was violated already 1 January 2005. Nevertheless, pressure from international donors of relief and reconstruction aid persuaded the Indonesian government and GAM to recommence peace negotiations.
Negotiations between the warring parties started in late January and were brokered and facilitated by Crisis Management Initiative, a Finnish NGO headed by former Finnish president Marti Ahtisaar. After five rounds of talks between late January and mid-July the two sides agreed a memorandum of understanding. This peace agreement was signed 15 August 2005.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Crisis Management Initiative, EU and ASEAN
Comment on Third Party Involvement: The Crisis Management Initiative (CMI) is a Finnish, non-governmental organisation which is working within security sphere. The Chairman of the Board is former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari.
The CMI, under the lead of Martti Ahtisaari, facilitated and brokered the negotiations that lead to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding 15 August 2005.
Furthermore, an Aceh Monitoring Mission was to monitor and verify the implementation of the peace agreement, and would consist of observers from EU and ASEAN countries.
Victory: NO
Terminated: YES
Type of termination: Peace Agreement
Date of termination: 2005-08-15
Comment on Termination: In the end of 2004 Aceh was devastated by the tsunami-catastrophe. The day after the natural disaster both GAM (Free Aceh Movement) and the Indonesian Government declared unilateral ceasefires but this ceasefire was violated already in the eve of the new 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 a memorandum of understanding. The peace accord was signed by the warring parties 15 August 2005 in Helsinki.
Comment on Termination Date: The date when the "Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement" was signed in Helsinki.
2006 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2008 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2014 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
