The Indonesian province of Aceh (Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam) is located on the northern tip of the island of Sumatra. Historically, Aceh has strongly resisted attempts to colonize the region and has maintained an uneasy relationship with the Indonesian state, which has resulted in armed resistance and attempts by the central government to forcefully repress this.

The most recent cycle of tension and violence started in the late 1970s, with several periods of intense confrontation, most recently following the breakdown of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in 2003. Preparations for a new dialogue process and talks between the parties started again in 2004. The devastation and impact of the 26 December tsunami brought additional momentum to the process and accelerated negotiations. Mediated by the former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, the Indonesian Government and GAM (Free Aceh Movement) signed on 15 August 2005 a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Helsinki. This was followed by the establishment of the Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM), whose mandate was to monitor initial implementation of key elements set out in the MoU. The AMM formally concluded its mission in mid-December 2006, a few days after successful provincial and district elections in Aceh. While the work of the AMM brought about stability, further efforts were needed to ensure lasting peace.