Unrest in Aceh: GAM Flag Should Be Honoured as History, Not Used for Specific Interests, Says Figure

A figure and Aceh peace negotiator from Finland, Juha Christensen, has reminded the people of Aceh that the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) flag must be honoured as history, not used for certain interests.

“Our opinion and the discussion at the Helsinki negotiations in 2005. We must honour the GAM flag as history, that is most important. Using the GAM flag for other interests is, in my view, not good,” said Juha Christensen in Banda Aceh on Saturday (15/8/2026).

The statement was delivered by Juha Christensen to journalists after attending the 21st Aceh Peace Day commemoration with the theme ‘Implementation of Peaceful, Comprehensive, Sustainable, and Dignified Conflict Resolution within the Framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia’, organised by the Aceh Reintegration Agency (BRA) at Balai Meuseuraya Aceh, Banda Aceh.

The affirmation was also conveyed by Juha Christensen in response to the raising of the GAM flag, or the crescent moon and star flag, in the courtyard of the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh today by a crowd, which led to unrest.

He stressed that the raising of the GAM flag is not good for the peace atmosphere in Aceh. All parties must remember that the mandate of the Helsinki MoU, or Aceh peace, is dignity.

“That is not good for the atmosphere (raising the GAM flag). We must also remember that in the MoU points it is dignity for all,” he said.