Thousands gathered at Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh on August 15, 2026, to mark 21 years of peace between Indonesia and the former separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM). Some participants raised GAM’s red, black, and white crescent-star flag and chanted "Free Aceh," while others replaced Indonesia’s national flag with the movement’s former symbol. These acts took place in a province that had endured nearly three decades of conflict before a peace deal in 2005 ended the struggle. The return of independence symbols and slogans comes as Aceh continues to recover from severe floods and landslides in late 2025, which killed over 1,000 people and displaced more than a million residents. The resurgence of pro-independence sentiment in Aceh is not necessarily a sign that separatism is making a comeback, but rather a reminder that national identity is not static. It can shift depending on political and social conditions, especially when people feel neglected by the central government. The 2005 peace agreement transformed Aceh into one of Southeast Asia’s most successful post-conflict reconciliations, granting the region significant self-governance and control over its natural resources. However, lingering disputes over revenue sharing from Aceh’s oil and gas fields have continued to fuel local grievances. GAM, founded in 1976, sought independence for Aceh, which is located on the westernmost part of the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The nearly three-decade conflict left thousands dead, with civilians bearing much of the violence. Both Indonesian security forces and GAM were accused of human rights abuses, including torture and forced displacement. The 2004 tsunami, which devastated Aceh, played a crucial role in ending the conflict by highlighting the region’s suffering and opening the door to international aid and diplomatic efforts. Despite the 2005 peace agreement, Acehnese nationalism has not disappeared. While GAM disarmed and many of its leaders entered electoral politics, pro-independence ideas and symbols have remained part of the region’s political landscape. The slow recovery from the 2025 floods and landslides, combined with the central government’s refusal to accept foreign aid, has reignited tensions. President Prabowo Subianto’s decision to reject the designation of the disaster as a national emergency has contrasted sharply with the international support Aceh received after the 2004 tsunami. Acehnese identity has evolved over time, shaped by historical ties to Indonesia. While some leaders once supported Indonesian independence from Dutch colonial rule, the push for Aceh’s independence only emerged as relations with Jakarta deteriorated. This suggests that Acehnese nationalism is not a fixed force but one that can be renegotiated as political conditions change. The recent resurgence of "Free Aceh" chants and GAM symbols reflects how independence remains a political tool for expressing dissatisfaction with Indonesia, particularly during crises that challenge the government’s legitimacy.