In the midst of the gubernatorial election campaign last December, 47-year-old former rebel leader Irwandi Yusuf took time out from his hectic schedule to talk to malaysiakini about peace, politics and the future of Aceh.

The following interview took place in Banda Aceh on December 10, 2006 - a day before Acehnese go to the ballot box to directly elect their first governor.

Irwandi eventually won with a landslide - a victory widely interpreted as a political mandate from Acehnese for former separatist group Free Aceh Movement (GAM) to govern the resource-rich province in the next five years.

Two days ago, Irwandi was sworn in as Aceh's new leader.