Aceh, Indonesia
Background
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.
Our work
The focus of the programme was to create, stimulate and/or facilitate spaces of dialogue at various levels as an instrument to ensure lasting peace in Aceh. Consequently, the strategy had two components: one focused on the formal political process for which the key reference was direct dialogue between the MoU parties and the other focused on reconciliation, problem solving and trust building at the local levels.
The main outcomes which the programme sought to achieve were:
- Increased trust and cooperation between MoU stakeholders and the Acehnese people;
- Stronger engagement of Acehnese civil society and MoU stakeholders in the peace and reconciliation process;
- Increased knowledge and understanding of the MoU within the Acehnese population, its implementation process and about other relevant governance-related issues; and
- Decreased tensions, clashes and confrontations between opposing interest groups in Acehnese society, and more recourse to constructive dialogue as a mechanism to find solutions for these differences.
The programme helped local Acehnese society reach consensus-based solutions to key problems and challenges based on inputs from within their communities and the inclusion and participation of all sectors of society. A range of methodological tools were used, including participatory-action research, individual interviews, focus group discussions, open public debates, thematic working groups, working seminars, conferences, video footage and radio broadcasts, and press statements. All of this was intended to ensure strong national/local ownership and legitimacy of decisions taken or solutions reached.
Key achievements
From 2006 to 2009 the programme made a significant contribution to the consolidation of peace in Aceh.
- The MoU Roundtable process - a trusted platform for dialogue
The programme facilitated a series of high level dialogue roundtables between the two signatory parties of the Helsinki Peace Accord otherwise referred to as the Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding. The process worked as a trusted platform through which the parties agreed to monitor the implementation of the provisions of the peace agreement and to work out any differences as they arose. The various IIAP-convened and facilitated MoU Round Table Meetings that were held were well-attended. Important topics were addressed at these meetings and resolutions have also been reached in certain instances.
- A network of field facilitators
The programme has also focused on reconciliation, problem solving and trust building at the local level by putting in place a network of field operators. The field facilitators, posted throughout the province, have contributed both to a reduction of tensions and to the facilitation of consultations in the 16 districts of the province.