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.