1. Contemporary Context of Aceh

It has been almost two decades since Aceh signed the Helsinki Agreement, marking the end of a prolonged armed struggle.

Dark days have been replaced by new hopes for stability, development, and the emergence of local politics. But now, Aceh faces a new chapter filled with intrigue and turmoil. Disputes over border islands with North Sumatra have resurfaced, as have tensions and controversies among the elite and their communities. Aceh now stands at a crucial crossroads.

There is a strong desire to protect the peace that has been achieved, but various political, social, and economic challenges are testing the region's ability to manage its autonomy and social harmony. This opinion piece aims to explore Aceh's efforts to balance high expectations with real challenges, as well as its desire to steer the region toward a more prosperous future.

2. The Context of Peace and Political Transformation in Aceh

On December 4, 1976, Hasan di Tiro proclaimed the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), demanding Aceh's independence from the Republic of Indonesia. The conflict lasted nearly three decades, killing thousands and causing deep social trauma. The government's response was slow and, as a result, harsh, leading to a brutal military operation with subsequent human rights violations.

The momentum shifted after the 2004 tsunami, which devastated Aceh and strengthened international mediation efforts for peace. The war officially ended with the signing of the Helsinki Agreement on August 15, 2005. The agreement included the disarmament of GAM, the withdrawal of non-local troops, the formation of local political parties, the management of natural resources, and special autonomy for Aceh.

Former GAM fighters transformed into legitimate political actors, forming the Aceh Party and actively participating in local government. This transformation delegated broad autonomy to Aceh to manage resources and implement Sharia law, strengthening local identity and politics. Instead of civil conflict, Aceh embraced a democratic government full of hope and challenges focused on peace management and reconstruction.

3. Post-Peace Expectations and Achievements

Since 2005, Aceh has enjoyed significantly greater stability and security. The easing of conflict has created opportunities for economic and social development. Infrastructure has improved, international aid has flowed freely, and the investment climate has begun to develop.

Peace has also created opportunities for local political participation. Former combatants are now active in the democratic system through the Aceh Party, which enjoys public support. This signals the empowerment of local leadership to shape Aceh's future, strengthening sovereignty within the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia.

The Aceh government has successfully advanced education, health, and more transparent resource management. With special autonomy, local policies are tailored to the social and cultural needs of the community, including the protection of qanun syariah as a distinctive identity of Aceh. These qanun strengthen social cohesion, though they remain a subject of debate outside Aceh. These successes offer hope for a more prosperous and socially just Aceh.

4. Social and Political Challenges and Issues

However, nearly two decades of peace in Aceh have not automatically accelerated the transformation of Aceh into a conflict-free region. Within the Aceh Corridor, issues that have triggered friction include former GAM elites, as seen in protests against the dismissal of potential cadres of the Aceh Party, which was considered reckless.

Within this divided society, social and economic disparities persist. On one side, former combatants and young women, many of whom are considered vulnerable, remain marginalized. On the other side, the ruling elite and broader community leaders enjoy the benefits of development. These alarming social disparities have the potential to disrupt reconciliation. Cases of corruption, nepotism, and patronage in the regional government continue to plague the region, worsening public services.

These identity and social conflicts are prone to triggering tensions that have the potential to spark conflict outside Aceh and North Sumatra. With the absence of supervision and control, the entire region could be trapped in endless uncertainty without constructive and open dialogue.

Disparities arising from local symbols such as the Aceh flag have become a source of conflict with the central government and have further complicated relations between the Aceh government and the central government. All the ideals of peace that have been built up over the years could be undermined by the emergence of new conflicts, and therefore, better management is needed to maintain peace.

5. Broader Political and Social Implications

The problems in Aceh are one of the issues that most influence the image of this region, both nationally and internationally. Nationally, Aceh is still often seen as a vulnerable region, especially with the border island dispute that has triggered concerns about socio-political conflict. The Wali Nanggroe Aceh has even warned of the potential for tribal wars if this issue is not resolved, which could potentially damage the unity of our republic.

Internationally, Aceh remains a model for post-conflict transformation, but the potential for instability could tarnish its reputation and hinder existing cooperation efforts for development.

Both the central government and the president have played a significant role in swiftly returning the disputed island to Aceh through legally binding documents, thereby easing tensions by 2025 and maintaining stability in Aceh. A dialogue-based approach with inclusive decisions can resolve disputes peacefully. However, significant risks remain if political tensions, elite conflicts, and socioeconomic disparities persist. Relations between Aceh and the central government have the potential to deteriorate further, even threatening the ideals of peace and autonomy. This will also have a broad impact on Indonesia's image in the eyes of the international community. In order to maintain respect and stability, all parties need to collaborate openly and inclusively.

6. Hopes and Recommendations for the Future

Aceh needs to be visionary and inclusive in managing and developing peace. Working relationships between the regional parliament, civil society, and the central government must also be strengthened to resolve sensitive issues, such as provincial disputes and local symbols. Within this structure and process, space must also be provided for poor communities and former combatants so that the resulting policies are more inclusive.

Improvements to the system of governance are needed immediately, with a focus on transparency, accountability, and community participation. Through improvements to the system of governance, the people will have greater confidence in broad-based and integrated development, as demonstrated by the eradication of corruption and nepotism.

Social justice must be pursued and become a key focus. This can address post-conflict social issues in Aceh, where assistance, training, and empowerment are needed for former combatants and broader vulnerable groups.

Managing territorial disputes requires a more peaceful approach with a comprehensive and continuous dialogue process, as well as vertical and horizontal boundaries to create long-term resilience. Former GAM combatants must be educated as true agents of development and peace, and not just as a ruling elite. Aceh's future progress and success depend on inclusive and pro-people leadership.

7. Conclusion: Reflections and Invitation

Aceh has become an example of extraordinary political and social evolution in post-conflict Indonesia. From a region torn apart by suffering, Aceh has proven that change and progress can be achieved through peace and inclusive political engagement. However, Aceh's future is highly risky, depending on how peace is understood and managed collectively by its leaders and people.

Peace is the beginning and end of a long and challenging journey. All political elites, some former combatants, civil society, and even the central government must unite in a spirit of synergy, dialogue, and unity. Only with collective determination can Aceh continue to be a successful example of reconciliation and local democracy that inspires others.

Therefore, it is essential to maintain dialogue, improve governance, and expand the benefits of peace, so that Aceh is not only a bastion of peace but also a thriving and prosperous region for future generations.