A few days before the Celebration of GAM’s 44 Anniversary on 4 December 2020, we have witnssed the deployment of Indonesian military troops into Banda Aceh

 

   

GERAKA ACEH MERDEKA

FREE ACEH MOVEMENT

Press Release

13 December 2020

The latest Indonesian military movement in Aceh causes concern and in violation of the Memoranding of Understanding (MoU) Helsinki, Peace Accord.

A few days before the Celebration of GAM’s 44 Anniversary on 4 December 2020, we have witnssed the deployment of Indonesian military troops into Banda Aceh.

In anticipation to stop the raising of the Acehnese flag that was legally passed by the Aceh local parliament according to the Qanun (by-laws) that are permitted under the MoU:

Point 1.1.5 Aceh has the right to use regional symbols including a flag, a crest and a hymn.

the celebration was interfered with TNI and police forces to stop the Acehnese civillians at several local institutions. (see videos wareeh official, you tube.com). GAM former combatants were even prevented from entering the grave of our leader the late Tengku Hasan Muhammad di Tiro, in Mureue at the beginning of the gathering.

The aspirations of the Acehnese civillians was just to celebrate peacefully the historic day and demand for the full implementation of the MoU for the last 15 years. Although there were  no casualties, which showed GAM’s committment to peace, we are still concern with the development on the ground.

It has been reported that new bataljons have been set up all over Aceh without any monitoring from the international community. It is stipulated in the MoU:

Point 4.7 The number of organic military forces to remain in Aceh after the relocation is 14 700. The     number of organic police forces to remain in Aceh after the relocation is 9100.

Point 4.8 There will be no major movement of military forces after the signing of this MoU. All movements more than a platoon size will require prior notification to the Head of the Monitoring Mission.  

Since the Aceh Monitoring Mission withdrew from Aceh in 2006, there has been no mechanism in monitoring and addressing these security issues.

In addition to the above, the Indonesian armed forces (TNI) on Friday 11 December launched a military training at Kuala Cangkoi, North Aceh in front of the local civillians. It was reported in Serambinews.com (https://aceh.tribunnews.com/2020/12/11/detasemen-arhanud001-latihan-menembak-di-pantai-kuala-cangkoi-aceh-utara)

This provocative act was a show of force and intimidation to the local Acehnese people, who has never forgotten the horrific experience during the armed conflict. The TNI is showing that they are capable to crush any insurgent in Aceh. It is also in violation of the peace accord signed in Helsinki, Finland on 15 August 2015 between the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the Government of Indonesia (GoI) in ending the armed conflict between the two parties for almost three decades. It is stated in the MoU,

Point 4.10 Organic police forces will be responsible for upholding internal law and order in Aceh.

Point 4.11 Military forces will be responsible for upholding external defence of Aceh. In normal peacetime circumstances, only organic military forces will be present in Aceh.

We kindly seek the international community, especially the CMI and the EU to continuosly monitor and share their responsibility help the Acehnese people in striving for a dignified life as any other nations in the world in this difficult situation of world pandaemic.

Yours sincerely,

Bakhtiar Abdullah

Spokesperson of GAM

Member of GAM’s Delegation

In the Helsinki MoU Peace Talks.