Effect of The 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake On Indonesia - Complications Owing To Aceh Insurgency

Complications Owing To Aceh Insurgency

An accurate picture of the damage was made difficult due to the insurgency of the separatist Free Aceh Movement and the Indonesian military crackdown which means that there were relatively few journalists, government offices, or aid workers in northern Sumatra prior to the earthquake. On 27 December the government lifted the 18-month-old ban prohibiting foreign journalists and aid workers from travelling to Aceh. Also on 27 December a spokesperson for the Free Aceh Movement declared a ceasefire so humanitarian aid could reach survivors, and so as not to complicate the already devastating situation, however some have expressed doubt that there will be good-faith cooperation between the Free Aceh Movement and the Indonesian military. Despite losing many soldiers to the tsunami, the military retains a massive presence in the region.

On 6 January the Indonesian military reported that soldiers had been attacked while on humanitarian missions. The insurgents in turn claim that the Indonesian military is taking advantage of the situation. If the clashes continue, it would pose a problem for humanitarian organisations operating outside of the cities near rebel strongholds. Travel restrictions may be put on foreigners again if the conflict restarts. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has warned Indonesia not to use any of the military aid being provided for relief efforts for counterinsurgency efforts.