Leading the movement's guerilla wing following the death of his predecessor, he was its leader at the end of the conflict and later founded the Aceh Party, becoming its first and current chairman.

[1] In 1986, Manaf left for Libya, where he received combat training with other GAM members.

[6] In Aceh's 2012 gubernatorial election, Manaf ran as the running mate of fellow GAM member Zaini Abdullah and the pair won the election, with Manaf being sworn in as Vice Governor on 4 June 2012.

Initially, though, Manaf's campaign team also claimed victory and refused to accept the results.

[11] He then ran in the 2024 Aceh gubernatorial election, defeating Bustami Hamzah [id], and was sworn in as governor on 12 February 2025.