On December 26, 2004, a major earthquake caused a tsunami that struck much of Aceh's west coast, including Banda Aceh, and caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of lives.
In addition, there has been a desire from several parts of Aceh, particularly in the western, southern and inland parts of separatists spearheaded by political figures such as Tagore, cut agam, etc. to form two new provinces called Aceh Leuser Antara, which consists of Aceh Central, Bener Meriah, Gayo Lues, Aceh Tenggara and Aceh Singkil, and South West Aceh Province or ABAS consisting of Nagan Raya, Aceh Barat Daya, South Aceh, Simeulue, Aceh Barat and Aceh Jaya. The declaration of the division of the province was jointly held on December 4, 2005 at Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta, attended by hundreds of people and 11 regents who wanted to expand its territory, followed by a protest demanding the release of the 11 districts from Aceh.
On August 15, 2005, the Free Aceh Movement (Gerakan Aceh Merdeka, GAM) and the Indonesian government finally agreed to sign a peace agreement (MoU) and end the conflict between the two parties that have lasted for nearly 30 years. Agreement granting the right of self-government to Aceh.