A peace agreement that had tempered ethnic violence in Maluku province began to crack in recent weeks with further attacks by Muslim militants on Christian communities in Ambon. The attackers have largely been Islamic militant groups from outside the area spurred on by calls of jihad and often given free rein by security personnel. But an outspoken leader of one of the largest militant groups was arrested May 4 for inciting violence after a radio broadcast in which he called on followers to reject the peace agreement. The next day an attack occurred on Christians in Ambon. The arrest may signal a shift in government policy to enforce the peace effort in an area where the residents are tired of the conflict and just want to get on with their lives.
