Night street vendors are back in Aceh

Night street vendors are back in Aceh

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Street-side food and beverage vendors are back in trade in Banda
Aceh, spurred by the belief that peace is slowly returning to the
capital of battle-ridden Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam province.

"We wouldn't dare open our business past 7:00 p.m. until
recently," food vendor Adi told Antara news agency, "but now
people are hitting the street again and staying up late at
night."

Sporadic clashes between the military and Free Aceh Movement
(GAM) rebel group, however, are ongoing, particularly in rural
areas.

Minivan public transportation, which used to stop running at
7:00 p.m., is becoming increasingly available past this hour in
this city of less than 400,000 people.

In the district of Lambaro in Aceh Besar regency, the
traditional market has gradually returned to its normal business
hours and stays open until nightfall.

"People prefer to stay home even during the daytime," said
Jailani, a market trader in Lambaro. "Now some traders are
keeping their shops open up to 10 o'clock at night."

Most traders say they expect peace to return to the province
very soon.

"Everyday people suffer the most during the armed conflict,"
said M. Yakob, a resident of Banda Aceh. "It has been very
difficult for us to earn a living, especially those who work at
night."

More than 500 people have died this year in the armed conflict
that started in 1976. The last peace talks between the government
and GAM representatives were held early this month in
Switzerland.