BANDA ACEH – Former Commander of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) Linge, Fauzan Azima, said that the Aceh struggle had actually ended since the signing of the Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on August 15, 2005. However, according to him, the current challenge for Aceh is how to utilize the Aceh Governance Law (UUPA) as the main weapon in fighting for regional authority.

“Whereas in the past we used conventional weapons, now our weapon is the UUPA. Its power can be compared to nuclear weapons. The difference is, while in the past weapons were directed at specific targets, now the UUPA should serve as a guideline for governance,” Fauzan said at the Aceh Seminar at Anjong Mon Mata, Banda Aceh, on Friday, September 19, 2025.

He lamented the frequent disregard of the UUPA, even though Aceh’s initial goal in challenging Jakarta was to gain full sovereignty and authority. He also reminded young activists to read extensively, study, and analyze to discover Aceh’s true authority.

“The Qanun is a fence around Aceh’s authority. But in reality, the UUPA is in a state of suspended animation. Fighting for it is as difficult as the armed struggle of old,” he said. He also emphasized the importance of state civil servants (ASN), especially echelon officials, thoroughly understanding the UUPA’s contents. “We live in Aceh, so ASN must understand the UUPA. We must not ignore the rights of Acehnese that have been regulated,” Fauzan emphasized.

Fauzan urged that the UUPA be used as the primary foundation for all regional policies, including those related to natural resource management. He noted that Aceh’s Leuser Ecosystem, which, if properly managed, could serve as an instrument for strengthening Aceh’s sovereignty.***

This article has been published previously and read in full at: AJNN.net