Geography:

Acheh is a ‘special territory’ in Indonesia located at the Northern tip of the island of Sumatra. The approximate area of Acheh is 236,803 km², and consists of 119 islands, 73 major rivers and 2 lakes. It is strategically located on the Malaccan Strait, an important trade route and portal to Southeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean to the South. The Capital of the territory is Banda Acheh.

People:
Acheh has a population of approximately 4 million, representing two percent of the total Indonesian population. There are various ethnic groups residing in Acheh, with the major ethnic group being the Achehnese. The other ethnic groups include the Gayo, Alas, Tamiang; Aneuk Jamee, Kluet and Simeulue. There is also a small population of Arab and European descent.
Languag Approximately 3 million peoplein Northern Sumatra speak Achenese, which was once the center of a prosperous and independent Muslim Kingdom. Achenese is from theustronesian/Malayo-Polynesian language family and has its closest links with Cham, a language spoken primarily in Vietnam. There is little evidence to explain the close relationship between Achenese and Cham, as the two countries are quite a distance from one another. Other languages spoken in the province of Acheh include Bahasa Kluet, Bahasa Gayo, Bahasa Alas, and Bahasa Tamiang, which is a variety of Malay. Modern Achense has been strongly influenced by the Dutch language, stemming from the Dutch colonial control of Indonesia from the end of the 18th century to the mid 19th century. Achenese is formally written in Arabic script.

Culture and religion

The Achenese are mainly agriculturalists whose diet consists of rice with meat, fish or vegetables; except for pork, which is forbidden to Muslims. Traditional dress for men and women is a sarong, which is a colorful woven skirt. Houses are generally built out of bamboo or flattened wood, and are built on stilts to raise it off the ground. They are a relaxed and easygoing people who have been ravaged by years of isolation, conflict and disaster.
Much of the art, music, dance and culture of the Achenese is influenced by Islam, which is believed to have first entered Southeast Asia through Acheh in the 8th century. At one point, Banda Acheh, the capital of Acheh, was referred to as the 'doorway to Mecca' for it was
a popular stopping place for Muslim travelers, scholars, and merchants. About 99% of the population in Acheh is Muslim.

Economy

The main staples of the Achenese economy are coffee, pepper, rice, tobacco, rubber and timber. A substantial proportion of the population is fisherman, although many continue to struggle in the aftermath of the December 2004 tsunami, which severely devastated coastal areas. The territory is also endowed with natural gas, oil, gold, tin, platinum, and coal. Unfortunately, the Indonesian government controls all rights to oil and natural resources, and reaps the benefits of the vast oil revenues from Acheh. This situation may change, however, in the near future as talks in Helsinki, Finland between GAM and representatives from the Indonesian government come closer to reaching a comprehensive agreement regarding the distribution of resource revenues.

Environmental Problems

Deforestation and land degradation as a result of oil and natural resource extraction remain a problem in Acheh. Natural disasters also plague Acheh, due primarily to its geographical location. On December 26, 2004, Acheh was ravaged by a massive tsunami that claimed 120,000 lives in Acheh alone and severely damaged infrastructure, property and the natural habitat.

History

From the beginning of 16th century, Acheh has been involved in an almost continuous power struggle for their self-determination and right to exist as a free nation. First with Portugal, then the British and Dutch in the 18th century and today, against the Indonesian government in Jakarta, Acheh has continued its struggle against colonial and alien rule with varying degrees of success.
In 1824 the Anglo-Dutch treaty was signed, under which the British ceded their colonial possessions on Sumatra to the Dutch. The British claimed Acheh as part of their colonies, although they had little actual control over the sultanate. Initially under the agreement, the Dutch agreed to respect the Achenese sultanate's independence. In 1871, however, the Dutch invaded Acheh, with no opposition from the British.

The Dutch colonial government declared war on Acheh on 26 March 1873, but they never fully gained control of the territory and declared their attempt at subjugating Acheh a failure in 1893. Instead of conceding, excessive force was used to command full control of Acheh, which was gained by 1904. Throughout Dutch rule, Acheh faced large numbers of casualties and continued guerilla warfare against the Dutch until the Dutch East Indies achieved independence following occupation by the Japanese and the end of WWII.

On December 27, 1949, under heavy international pressure, the Netherlands finally acknowledged Indonesia's independence. Upon independence, Indonesian troops were dispatched to annex Acheh, causing resentment over what some Achenese viewed as foreign occupation. Since then, there have been periodic armed conflicts between the Indonesian military and local forces fighting for greater separation from the central government.

In 1959, the Indonesian government gave Acheh a "special territory" status, giving it a greater degree of autonomy from the central government in Jakarta than most other regions of Indonesia. The regional government is empowered to construct a legal system independent of the national government.

In 1976, Acheh declared its independence and since that time has struggled against the Indonesian government for recognition, resulting in the death of thousands of Achehnese, and severe crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Indonesian government. In December 1976, the Free Acheh Movement (GAM) was founded, claiming that the Achenese people were not consulted about the decision to become part of Indonesia, and are therefore fighting for a return of the province's sovereignty. Aside from human rights violations against the people of Acheh, the struggle has been fuelled by Indonesian government’s control over the provinces considerable natural resources the revenue generated.

During the 1990’s thousands of troops entered Acheh to stop rebel force insurgency, resulting in more conflict and casualties. Finally in 2002, the government of Indonesia and GAM agreed to a peace deal. In this peace agreement, the Indonesian government said that Acheh could have free elections and a partially autonomous government and would also keep 70% of the revenue generated from the province’s oil resources.

They also claimed that they would gradually withdraw government troops, who had a strong presence in the territory. In return, the rebels were asked to abandon their claims for complete independence and hand in their weapons. Neither side held to their end of the agreement and peace negotiations broke down shortly after.

The Indonesian government immediately launched an all out military offensive, imposing martial law on the province and sending thousands of troops to keep control of Acheh.

On December 26, 2004, a massive tsunami, triggered by an earthquake in the Indian Ocean, completely devastated the province, killing 120,000 people in Acheh alone and destroying homes, infrastructure and natural habitats. As international attention and aid poured in from the international community, renewed focus fell on the fate of Acheh.

Since the tsunami in December, peace negotiations have commenced in Helsinki Finland between the Indonesian government and GAM. Although precarious at times, the two parties are currently in their 5th round of talks in a positive atmosphere. An agreement has been reached giving the province more control over the revenues from their natural resources, but issues still exist over political representation. GAM wants to become a strong partner in the democratic process and desires to form a political party in Acheh, which is facing strong opposition from the Indonesian government. The current round of negotiations is promising and an agreement is to be signed in August between the 2 parties, although all decisions agreed upon in Helsinki will have to be approved by the Indonesian government.

Following a Memorandum of Understanding between the Free Acheh Movement (GAM) and the Indonesian Government in 2005, Acheh obtained special regional status. The first major reflection of this milestone was the 2006 regional elections where, for the first time, a regional candidate, including a member of the GAM, could run for all positions, including that of Governor. Relatively successful elections, along with a strong performance from GAM candidates, have led many to believe a new era of stability is on the horizon for the region.


Organizations:
The Acheh/Sumatra National Liberation Front (ASNLF) also called Gerakan Acheh Merdeka (GAM/Free Acheh Movement) represents the people of Acheh in the UNPO. Founded on 4 December 1976, GAM is a separatist movement that has been fighting for an independent Acheh for 30 years. They have been negotiating with the government of Indonesia for many years in order to find a settlement for the conflict.

Statistics:
Geographical territory: 236,803 km², consisting of 119 islands, 73 major rivers and 2 lakes.
Population: 4 million
Ethnic groups: Achenese (other ethnic groups include the Gayo, Alas, Tamiang; Aneuk Jamee, Kluet and Simeulue. There is also a small population of Arab and European descent).
Language: Achehnese