Special autonomy, predatory peace and the resolution of the Aceh conflict

Since 2005, one of the most remarkable achievements in global peace making has occurred in the province of Aceh. The former rebel movement, the Free Aceh Movement (Gerakan Aceh Merdeka, GAM), has transformed itself into a largely civilian political movement that competes for power through elections. Political violence has declined dramatically, and most of the violence that does occur is not between Indonesian security forces and GAM supporters as it was during the conflict years. Most observers have ascribed the success of the peace process in part to the autonomy arrangements promised to GAM during the peace talks in Helsinki in 2005. GAM supporters describe these arrangements as ‘self-government’, while representatives of the Indonesian government typically use the term ‘special autonomy’. These arrangements were embodied in Law 11/2006 on the Governing of Aceh a little over a year after the Helsinki peace agreement was signed. It has provided the framework for organizing Aceh's governmental affairs ever since.