The future of Aceh

The future of Aceh

The Indonesian government (and the military) is serious about preventing the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) from commemorating the 34th anniversary of its declaration of independence on Dec. 4. During a coordinating meeting on political and security affairs last Friday, it was agreed to take tough measures against those celebrating the anniversary.

Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said that if GAM marked the anniversary it would indicate their lack of will to end the conflict in the province.

Earlier, GAM spokesman Sofyan Dawood said that GAM would celebrate the anniversary.

These two opposite moods have increased the tension and fear among the people of Aceh. This has triggered many Acehnese civilians to flee to the neighboring province of North Sumatra.

Innocent civilians are always the victims in such a war. According to the Legal Aid Institute in Aceh, more than 1,200 civilians have been killed between January and November of this year.

The prolonged conflict has also destroyed the economy of the province, as well as its social and cultural aspects. Violence will not solve anything. Therefore, it's time for the warring groups to think about the people. The innocent civilians deserve a better future.

-- Republika, Jakarta