The editorial team and colleagues at the launch event in Banda Aceh
Events
Presentation of Accord Issue 20
Reconfiguring politics: the Indonesia – Aceh peace process
Conciliation Resources held three events in November 2008 to launch Accord issue 20. Meetings were held in Indonesia – in Banda Aceh and Jakarta – and in Singapore.
Presentations were given by the publication editorial team:
- Accord Series Editor, Alexander Ramsbotham (CR)
- Co-Issue Editor, Judith Large (University of Lancaster)
- Co-Issue Editor, Aguswandi (Aceh Peace Resource Centre)
Authors of articles in the publication also took part in the meetings, including Faisal Hadi (Human Rights Coalition in Aceh), Patrick Barron (World Bank, Indonesia) and Michelle Ann Miller (National University of Singapore).
Participants at the events were keen that their experiences from the Indonesia-Aceh peace process should help inform best practice in comparable situations, both elsewhere in Indonesia and worldwide.
Many highlighted the Accord policy brief as a useful tool in understanding lessons learned for peacemaking, in particular:
- reframing contentious concepts: ie shifting from divisive positions of 'independence' vs. 'autonomy' for Aceh’s status, to 'self-government'
- imprecise drafting of agreements and subsequent contested interpretation of terms
- humanitarian relief and peace process support, and disparities between relief for tsunami- and conflict-affected areas
Alexander Ramsbotham focused on efficiency vs. inclusiveness during negotiations. The 2005 Indonesia-Aceh settlement was agreed bilaterally, between the opposition GAM and the government. Key social and political constituencies were marginalized, causing problems during implementation.
Judith Large responded to the inclusivity question. She reflected on democratization in Aceh following the peace settlement, as a potential means to bring previously marginalized groups into the political process in Aceh.
Aguswandi looked at forthcoming conceptual and logistical challenges facing the people of Aceh in relation to national parliamentary elections in 2009, in which 44 parties will compete for three million Acehnese votes (six local parties and 38 national parties).
