Aceh consensus
Aceh consensus
No endeavor will succeed if it does not have the genuine support
and blessings of the primary stakeholders in the process. No
matter how ingenuous the initiative, the effort put into it will
be indicative of the confidence in its benefit and eventual
success.
The unanimous show of support expressed by the House of
Representatives during a meeting to discuss the soon to be signed
Aceh peace accord was a relief.
With all the primary state institutions now expressing a
formal commitment to the peace deal, there is greater hope that
the challenges which lurk in the implementation of the peace
accord can be met with a united front.
The people of Aceh have for too long been victims of political
circumstances beyond their control. As they suffer, politicians
in Jakarta wrangle over positioning based on self interests and
idyllic tenets that serve no one but themselves.
The united front shown by the executive and legislative
branches will help send a clear message to our cousins in Aceh
that the nation truly cares about creating a better future for
Indonesia's westernmost province.
After a series of negotiations over the past six months,
government negotiators and representatives from the Free Aceh
Movement (GAM) agreed last month to a peace treaty for a
comprehensive end to the uprising in Aceh. Minister of Justice
and Human Rights Hamid Awaluddin has been assigned to represent
the government in the official signing ceremony in Helsinki next
week.
With an agreement all but signed, the support of the usually
cranky politicians, and executive that has the political will to
resolve the Aceh quandary, this looks like Aceh's best chance for
peace in many years.
A determining factor will by the field response of the
Indonesian Military (TNI). Thus far TNI top brass has remained
loyal to the President by not rejecting the agreement. It remains
to be seen whether all ranks, especially those on the field will
facilitate or jeopardize the implementation of the agreement.
A particular sensitive phase will come when Acehnese political
prisoners are released and a withdrawal of TNI soldiers occurs.
Only then can we truly measure if all the concessionary
statements are really ones of intent or mere lip service.
Thus far most of those who have raised concern over the peace
deal have done so under the pretext of "nationalism". They are
gripped with an inane persuasion that nationalism means
maintenance of the nation-state at all costs -- apparently even
if that includes the perpetuation of coercive measures which
bring about a torturous life for the very people who make up this
nation.
What these people forget is that it is the very execution of
these tactics that have led to rebellion, the inability to
equitably distribute the economic and political rights which
every Indonesian citizen from Sabang to Merauke is entitled to.
We should all question the relevance of our nation-state if it
purposely weakens, let alone systematically undermines, the basic
rights of civil society.
This country was built under the divine principle that
sovereignty is in the hands of the people.
Failing to support benevolent initiatives, such as a peace
deal in Aceh, violates that very principle. It is those, the
"peace-spoilers", who are the true traitors of this nation,
irrespective of whether they are GAM, TNI or politicians.
Given these circumstances, it is in all Indonesians' interests
to ensure that the rules of the peace accord are observed and
that the inevitable complications which will arise are resolved
without jeopardizing the process as a whole.
It falls upon civil society -- the media, non-governmental
organizations, civil society groups, and even the average man on
the street -- to help oversee the process to ensure that all
sides are faithful toward the terms agreed upon.
No less important is that people everywhere display a high
enthusiasm for peace in Aceh and other provinces so that our
officials in turn will remain zestful in maintaining their tough
task ahead.
God willing, there will be peace.