Raising White Flags, GAM to Protest on 26 December, Urging Jakarta Not to Obstruct Foreign Aid

A civil society alliance in Aceh Barat Daya has called for a mass solidarity protest on 26 December to demand that the central government declare the recent deadly floods in Aceh and North Sumatra a national disaster. The group, known as Gerakan Aceh Menggugat (GAM), is also urging Jakarta to stop obstructing international assistance for the region.

Members of the "Gerakan Aceh Menggugat" (GAM) movement hold a press conference in Blangpidie on Saturday (20/12). Photo: Contributed

BLANGPIDIE — The movement follows a series of solidarity actions across the province as communities struggle to cope with the aftermath of massive flash floods. Organisers have specifically chosen 26 December—the anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami—for the demonstration, which is scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM local time.

Field coordinator Ilham Rizky stated during a press conference on Saturday that the protest is a direct response to the deepening humanitarian crisis. The group’s primary demands focus on forcing the central government to elevate the disaster's legal status, which would streamline the emergency response and remove bureaucratic hurdles currently hampering global aid agencies.

"We are inviting the entire community of Aceh Barat Daya to join this solidarity action," Rizky said. "We urge the central government to establish the Aceh-Sumatra floods as a national disaster and to open the doors for international help. It is vital that the government does not complicate the entry of global aid during this crisis."

Rizky was also careful to distance the movement from political affiliations, emphasizing that the protest is a grassroots humanitarian initiative. "We must clarify that this action is not supported by any outside political parties or interests. We are doing this purely on the basis of humanity," he said.

The call for action comes as several districts remain in a critical state following the events of 26 November 2025. Intense monsoon rainfall on that date triggered widespread flash flooding and landslides across Aceh and parts of Northern Sumatra, destroying infrastructure and severing land access to isolated villages.

Three weeks on, local authorities are still struggling with logistics, leading to the current demand for a total national mobilisation and international support.