Ex-rebel leader set to become Aceh governor

Banda Aceh (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Unofficial results show the former spokesman of the Free Aceh Movement, or GAM, Irwandi Yusuf, and his running mate, Muhammad Nazar, are likely to secure a landslide victory for the posts of governor and deputy in the landmark local elections. Indonesia's vice president, Jusuf Kalla, says the government in Jakarta has no concerns about the result as Mr Yusuf is a citizen of Indonesia and the polls were held in a democratic way.GAM fought a 29-year separatist rebellion against the Indonesian military that ended with a peace deal in 2005. The agreement paved the way for Monday's election for provincial governor and deputy, top posts previously appointed by Indonesia's central government. Mr Yusuf is a leader of GAM's younger generation, who stayed behind to fight and never went into exile. The vote has been hailed as "historic" by the United Nations secretary general, Kofi Annan.Mr Yusuf said he does not envisage any violent changes in direction in governance."In this transitional period... we need to be very careful and I don't want to promise a big project for the people of Aceh," he said.The International Crisis Group's Sidney Jones says the shock in the change of not only central Indonesian leadership, but also GAM leadership, bodes a bold new start for the province. "I think it means as well the Acehnese are basically tired of the same old political elite that has been in power for a long time," she said. "I think we will see GAM in positions of power trying to push the envelope and change the relationship with Jakarta."