Free Aceh Movement

Free Aceh Movement
Flag of the Free Aceh Movement
Active	4 December 1976– 27 December 2005
Country	Indonesia
Allegiance	Acehnese Nationalism
Role	Guerrilla warfare, politics
Garrison/HQ	City, mountains and jungles of Aceh
Equipment	small arms
Engagements	Insurgency in Aceh
Website	www.asnlf.org, www.unpo.org
Commanders
Notable commanders	Hasan di Tiro
Insignia
Identification symbol	Crescent moon and star
Identification symbol	Initials "ASNLF/AM"

The Free Aceh Movement (Indonesian: Gerakan Aceh Merdeka or simply GAM, Acehnese: Geurakan Acèh Meurdèka), also known as the Acheh-Sumatra National Liberation Front (ASNLF), was a separatist group seeking independence for the Aceh region of Sumatra from Indonesia. GAM fought against Indonesian government forces in the Aceh insurgency from 1976 to 2005, during which over 15,000 lives are believed to have been lost. The organisation surrendered its separatist intentions and dissolved its armed wing following 2005 peace agreement with the Indonesian Government, and subsequently changed its name into Aceh Transition Committee (Komite Peralihan Aceh, KPA). The Indonesian government called the group the Aceh Security Disturbance Movement.

The conflict in Aceh stems from several major factors including historical mistreatment, disagreements over Islamic law, discontent over the distribution of Aceh's natural resource wealth, and the increase in the numbers of Javanese people in Aceh.

During the era of Dutch colonisation in the 1800s Aceh was a centre of resistance against Dutch colonial rule. The Acehnese resisted Dutch forces. They were one of the last Indonesian people to succumb to colonial rule and only after a brutal 30-year campaign, the Aceh War of 1873-1903. When the Netherlands transferred sovereignty of their colonial territory, administration of Aceh was handed over to Indonesia and GAM claims that this was done without consultation with Acehnese authorities.Daud Bereueh mounted an armed rebellion that ended with Aceh being granted special status by President Sukarno. This special status gave Aceh control on religion, custom law and education.