© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attends an interview, following a meeting with local community and police leaders, following the announcement of a new police task force to help officers combat gangs in bullying, in Rochdale, Great Britain, on April 3, 2023.
by michael holden
LONDON (Reuters) – A quarter of a century after the signing of a peace agreement that largely ended violence in Northern Ireland, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said efforts must be stepped up to restore the power-sharing government central to the deal.
Signed in Belfast on April 10, 1998, the Good Friday Agreement is considered one of the most important peace agreements of the late 20th century, seeking to end three decades of sectarian fighting that killed more than 3,600 people.
But peace has been under pressure after Britain’s departure from the European Union and other political crises have overshadowed this week’s commemorations.
US President Joe Biden will fly to Northern Ireland on Tuesday to attend events marking the deal’s 25th anniversary, a reflection of the role the US played in negotiating the deal.
“This is an agreement born out of the partnership between the British and Irish governments and, as we will see from President Biden’s visit this week, it continues to enjoy great international support from our closest allies,” Sunak said in a statement on Monday.
“But most importantly, it builds on engagement in Northern Ireland itself. As we look forward, we will celebrate those who made the tough choices, accepted the compromise and showed leadership, demonstrating courage, perseverance and political imagination.”
Angered by post-Brexit trade rules that treated the province of Northern Ireland differently from the rest of the UK, the Democratic Unionist Party, the largest pro-British party, has boycotted the decentralized power-sharing government central to the deal. of peace for more than a year.
Last month, Britain’s MI5 intelligence agency raised the threat level in Northern Ireland from domestic terrorism to “severe”, meaning an attack was considered highly likely.
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar vowed on Sunday to step up efforts with Sunak to break the political deadlock in the province. Sunk said it was a time to salute those who secured the 1998 deal and reflect on progress since then, but also to redouble efforts.
“We stand ready to work with our partners in the Irish government and local parties to ensure that the institutions are back up and running as soon as possible,” he said. “There is work to be done.”