What is the Good Friday Agreement?

25 years ago a landmark document was signed with the goal of ending four decades of civil unrest and terrorism which had been centuries in the making.

The Good Friday Agreement, also known as the Belfast Agreement, was a historic peace deal signed on April 10, 1998, between the British and Irish governments, and the political parties of Northern Ireland. The agreement brought an end to decades of violent conflict, known as "The Troubles," between unionist and nationalist communities in Northern Ireland.

The Troubles began in the late 1960s and were characterized by sectarian violence, bombings, and shootings. The conflict was primarily between unionists, who identified as British and wanted Northern Ireland to remain a part of the United Kingdom, and nationalists, who identified as Irish and sought reunification with the Republic of Ireland. The conflict resulted in over 3,500 deaths and thousands of injuries.

The Good Friday Agreement was the culmination of years of negotiations and peace talks between the British and Irish governments, and the political parties of Northern Ireland. The agreement established a power-sharing government in Northern Ireland, with both unionist and nationalist parties represented. It also provided for the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons and the release of political prisoners.

The agreement was widely hailed as a significant step forward for peace in Northern Ireland. It was endorsed by the vast majority of voters in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in a referendum held on May 22, 1998. The agreement was also supported by the US government, which had played a key role in facilitating the negotiations.

Despite some initial setbacks and continued tensions between unionist and nationalist communities, the Good Friday Agreement has largely been successful in bringing about a lasting peace in Northern Ireland. The power-sharing government established by the agreement has remained in place, and paramilitary violence has largely ceased.

However, the agreement has faced challenges in recent years. The Brexit vote in 2016, which saw the UK vote to leave the European Union, has raised concerns about the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The Good Friday Agreement had helped to ease tensions along the border by removing the need for border checks. The reality of the UK's departure from the EU has reignited historic tensions the region, with sectarian groups using the anniversary as an opportunity to disrupt the often fragile peace.

Despite these challenges, the Good Friday Agreement remains a significant milestone in the history of Northern Ireland and only time will tell if it will be successful in securing a lasting peace.