First, ideological factors may appear in line with the presence of a new understanding of the order of life. The failure of secular states in managing the human life to encourage people to seek alternative ideology. Moral decadence and decay of human values that become the fruit of secular society has been disappointing of all parties. They eventually find a better alternative ideology, fairer and more prosperous. The collapse of the glory of human values into the values of materialistic and individualistic, a new style of imperialism that is wrapped with the label of globalization, which is the strategy and content of the capitalist ideology that still exist today, also makes people frustrated and looking for other ideologies. The discovery of a new ideology is then helped encourage them to do the separatist movement.

Second, the factor of political tyranny. Totalitarian government that does not give enough space for its citizens to express their political demands and interests. Even if there is a general election ritual, it tends to be used as a tool to perpetuate and justify the regime. Political regime that is often suppress the aspirations and desires of a particular community, but sometimes also to exploit most of the community. Political pressure was so heavy, to a certain extent, will trigger the birth of separatist movements. In the case of Aceh, political ruthlessness is also very thick coloring the spirit of separatism. Unification of Aceh to North Sumatra in the early years of the 50s encouraging Abu Daud Beureueh arms. Liquidation of Iskandar Muda military command to the military command based in Bukit Barisan Medan also adds injury Acehnese. Military dominance during the implementation of the DOM the year 1989-1998 in all aspects of life become evidence of political tyranny. All of that clot and eventually led most of the people of Aceh to be actively or passively support the efforts of separatism. This is compounded the government's stance that broke his promise and did not conduct a post-DOM rehabilitation. Therefore, the GAM is like getting the wind. In less than two years, members and sympathizers of GAM into the thousands.

Third, the economic factor. In the early reform period, some rich in oil producing regions and forest products requires government impartiality. In the New Order era, regions rich in dairy cattle has become the central government. They never enjoy the natural wealth exploited in the land of their ancestors. In those days, Budgets Aceh, Riau, East Kalimantan and is much smaller than on the budget the provinces in Java. In fact, the budget of Aceh is much less than the budget of East Timor, a poor area is also full of problems. Exploitation of natural resources that are not enjoyed by local people is what became one of the trigger separatist movements. Areas rich in natural resources but the people are poor, led unconsciously to resent the central government, and then demanding autonomy or even secession.
Economic interests of local communities are not the only motive that could encourage separatism. Economic interests of foreign countries also play an important role in the separatist movements in many countries. From world political history, we know where there is a role the U.S. and Europe (especially Britain and France), economic interests always prevailed. Economic interests are also an important factor or the role of the entry of foreign intervention. As we know, in Aceh (Arun-Lhokseumawe) there are reserves of LNG (liquefied natural gas) so-called largest in the world. Exploitation of gas fields are now being handled by the Exxon-Mobil (U.S.). Likewise in other areas commonly found mineral deposits are quite large.
Fourth, foreign intervention. Former director of intelligence Bakin, Dr. AC Manullang, in an interview with the Koran Tempo, said that there was involvement of U.S. intelligence agencies, CIA, in a variety of unrest such as in Aceh, Sampit, Pangkalan Bun, Ambon, Irian, and other areas. The goal is for Indonesia chaos.

In the case of Aceh, the birth of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) on December 9, 2002 in Geneva, Switzerland and the Tokyo meeting, clearly dibidani role / intervention of foreign (mainly European countries that joined the European Union), United States, Japan and the World Bank . The role of foreign shows that there are foreign interests in the problems of Aceh at the time.
Fifth, primordialism factor. The spirit of ethnicity / nationality in many cases helped encourage the emergence of separatist movements. The case of Kurds in Iraq and the emergence of Pan Arabism in late Ottoman heyday Daula is evidence of how issues of ethnicity / nationality can be an important factor that gave birth to separatism.
Primordialism spirit at the beginning of the emergence of separatist movements in Aceh are not prominent. Vision and mission Beureuh David and his followers in the early 50s was the establishment of a national Islamic state, not only in Aceh. Compromise of this goal is to demand the application of Islamic law in the land of Mecca's Porch. In contrast, GAM version of Tengku Hasan di Tiro more smelly primodialisme. This was revealed in a statement when interviewed by Hasan Tiro TV2, a Swedish TV station, when answering the question, "What do you want from the government of Indonesia?" The answer is, "Get out of Aceh! The Javanese have to go! ". Politically, the desire of GAM is separated from Indonesia.