ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the nature of the insurgency in Aceh and the motivations of the Indonesian government and GAM to shift from a purely military strategy in the 1980s and 1990s to a combined strategy in 2000, which for the first time included negotiations. It starts by considering the ways through which Jakarta viewed Aceh, and Gerakan Aceh Merdeka (GAM) viewed Indonesia, and how these perspectives necessitated military action by both protagonists. The chapter then proceeds to explore the changes in the Indonesian government's strategy after the fall of long-time ruler Suharto BJ Habibie, Abdurrahman Wahid, Megawati Sukarnoputri, and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and their attitude toward both negotiations and military solution. This is followed by an analysis of GAM's position on negotiations and an explanation for why the insurgency was contained and ultimately resolved. Aceh today is a stable, functioning region of Indonesia where civilians no longer need to fear violence and chaos.
