The Indonesian government has re-established a special military command for the troubled province of Aceh, where separatists are waging a guerrilla campaign against Indonesian forces.

Army chief General Endriartono Sutarto officially inaugurated the command at a ceremony Tuesday in the provincial capital Banda Aceh.

Human rights activists have warned that the move will lead to more abuses by Indonesian forces against the civilian population in Aceh.

The old Aceh command was disbanded in 1985 and military operations in the province had been overseen since then from nearby Medan, in North Sumatra.

The latest round of peace talks between the Indonesian government and the rebels ended in Geneva, Sunday, without any breakthroughs, but with both sides pledging to continue their dialogue. Jakarta has offered greater autonomy to Aceh, but that has not ended calls in the resource-rich province for full independence.

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