On Monday, Northern Ireland commemorates the 25th anniversary of its significant 1998 peace accords.
There are no significant public celebrations scheduled for the actual day. But US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak are anticipated to come.
After pro-UK unionist and pro-Irish nationalist politicians reached a peace agreement on April 10, 1998 — Easter Good Friday — after protracted negotiations. The region has undergone a tremendous transformation.
The Good Friday Agreement, brokered by Washington and approved by the governments of London and Dublin. Effectively put an end to the deadly sectarian violence that had plagued Northern Ireland for three decades. More than 3,500 persons died during the so-called Troubles.
The Belfast agreement created power-sharing in Northern Ireland with the creation of the Assembly. Ending decades of direct rule from London. Then British Prime Minister Tony Blair, US Senator George Mitchell, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern signed a historic peace accord.
Tony Blair Bertie Ahern Mo Mowlam David Andrews
Marking peace after 25 years
Yet, a quarter of a century later, Northern Ireland is still having trouble maintaining the achievements of its hard-won peace. With post-Brexit trade agreements contributing to political unrest and a rise in dissident republican violence.
Sunak said in a statement on Monday to commemorate the milestone. “Although it is time to reflect on the significant accomplishments we have made together. We must also recommit to redoubling our efforts on the commitment made in 1998 and the agreements that followed.”
On Tuesday, Biden will travel to Northern Ireland to take part in celebrations honouring the agreement’s 25th anniversary. Sunak is anticipated to be in the city of Belfast to meet him when he arrives.
Biden won’t speak at Stormont, the devolved political assembly for the province, though, as its members refused to participate because they disagreed with the positions the Westminster government had taken in the post-Brexit negotiations. As a result, the power-sharing body hasn’t been in session for more than a year.
The commemorations this week have been overshadowed by other political issues in addition to the impact of Britain’s exit from the European Union.
At a time when “the eyes of the world are on Ireland and the North of Ireland in particular and we have a limbo scenario,” Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald expressed her unhappiness at the squandered opportunity brought on by the political impasse. Sinn Fein’s followers support a united Ireland.
Political instability casts shadow
UK province mired in political instability and security concerns that threaten to overshadow the milestone.
The threat level in Northern Ireland was raised last month by Britain’s MI5 intelligence agency from domestic terrorism to “serious,” denoting that an attack was seen as very possible.
Due to fierce differences over trade after Brexit, the power-sharing institutions established by the accords have remained paralysed for more than a year.
Notwithstanding a February agreement between Britain and the EU to change the terms, the pro-UK Democratic Unionist Party has not yet endorsed the Windsor Framework, the new agreement.
It crippled the assembly by boycotting the devolved government of Northern Ireland for 14 months over the issue, and it has no plans to resume power-sharing.
Leo Varadkar, the prime minister of Ireland, promised on Sunday to step his efforts with Sunak to end the province’s political impasse.
As soon as possible, Sunak stated, “we stand ready to work with our partners in the Irish government and the local parties to ensure that the institutions are up and running again.” Work needs to be done.