Publication

This commentary reviews the peace accord brokered on 17 July 2005 between the Indonesian government and the Gerakan Aceh Merdeka (Free Aceh Movement). The author briefly presents an overview of the history of Aceh and its struggle for independence, and outlines the compromises made by both parties in reaching the peace deal. He argues that the most important factor differentiating the 2005 peace talks from previous ones - and ultimately leading to their success - was the December 2004 tsunami and the new dynamic it triggered in Aceh.