The Waxing and Waning of the Acehnese Diaspora's Long-distance Politics

Bibliographic Data

ID3659334
AuthorsA Missbach (0000-0003-1378-146X, The University of Melbourne, corresponding author)
Year2013
Volume47
Issue3
Pages1055-1082
Publication date2013-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueModern Asian Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0026-749X • E-ISSN: 1469-8099
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0026749x12000571
OpenAlexW2321661899
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited29

This paper sheds light on the long-distance politics of a small and rather young diaspora-the Acehnese overseas-which proved to be very influential on homeland politics despite its relatively small size, especially with regard to the separatist conflict in Aceh, Indonesia. Special attention is therefore given to the close connections between the politicized migrant population overseas and their involvement back home. Born out of the suffering of people in Aceh and in Malaysia-the main destiny for refugees-the Acehnese overseas started to organize informal associations and networks to foster mutual support. During the almost 30-year-long conflict, material, financial, and other forms of support were directed not only to members of the diaspora, but also to people in Aceh, as well as the separatists, which enabled them to continue their struggle for Aceh's independence from Indonesia. Unlike larger conflict-generated diasporas that can afford to send home large sums of money, the Acehnese diaspora's greatest strength was the ideological and moral support they provided to people back in Aceh. The evolution of the diaspora and its activities were closely linked to developments in the homeland. By emphasizing the dependence of diasporas on homeland developments, which dictates the level of their political engagement, this paper draws attention to the diaspora's support for both the perpetuation of conflictandconflict resolution. After the end of the conflict in 2005, the diaspora lost its prominent role, and became involved in rudimentary forms of long-distance engagement

Diaspora · Homeland · Ideology · Independence (probability theory · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Population · Refugee · Sociology · Asian Studies and History · Demography · Diaspora, migration, transnational identity · Gender Studies · Law · Migration and Labor Dynamics

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