Separatist rebels in the Indonesian province of Aceh have fought the government for more than a quarter of a century. Last December, Jakarta and the Free Aceh Movement (known by the initials GAM) signed a peace agreement. Hopes that the accord would yield an enduring peace have been betrayed during the past week as the ceasefire has slowly collapsed.
Indonesian security forces are the likely culprits of the breakdown. They must be reminded of their commitment to the peace agreement. Peace was in Indonesia's best interest four months ago; it is no less important today.
GAM emerged in 1976 to protest the plundering of Aceh's wealth and natural resources by "Javanese-Indonesian" colonialists, i.e., the Jakarta government. Economic grievances added to human rights violations visited on the Achinese by Indonesia's security forces. The death toll is still uncertain, but the lowest estimates are in the several thousands. Human rights groups count as many as 20,000 victims. Tens of thousands others were imprisoned and tortured.