Brexit, the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union, has raised a lot of questions, with one of the most pressing being the potential impact it will have on the peace agreement that has kept Northern Ireland peaceful since 1998.
The Good Friday Agreement, also known as the Belfast Agreement, was signed on April 10,1998, and was a significant milestone in the peace process in Northern Ireland. The agreement was a result of a long and bitter conflict between the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and the British government which had raged for decades, claiming the lives of thousands of people.
The main purpose of the agreement was to establish a power-sharing government in Northern Ireland, a devolved government that would give republicans and unionists equal representation and decision-making powers. The agreement also ensured that the Irish Republic would have an advisory role in Northern Ireland affairs, and that there would be no physical border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
However, with Brexit, the issue of the Irish border has become a significant cause for concern, and some fear that it could threaten the Good Friday Agreement. The potential for a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland has caused concern for those who believe that a physical border could reignite tensions in the region.
The UK government`s insistence on leaving the customs union and single market, which would require a hard border, has raised concerns that such a move would go against the Good Friday Agreement. The agreement stipulates that there will be no hard border, and any changes would have to be agreed upon by all parties.
Moreover, there is also concern about how Brexit will affect the power-sharing government in Northern Ireland. The fact that there has been no functioning government since January 2017 when the power-sharing agreement collapsed, means the region has been left without executive decision-making power. The longer this continues, the more significant the risk of tensions between communities on both sides of the divide.
The UK`s departure from the EU has complicated the situation further, and the UK government has not been able to find a solution that is acceptable to both parties. The EU and Irish government have insisted that they will not accept any deal that threatens the Good Friday Agreement.
In conclusion, Brexit`s impact on the Good Friday Agreement is a matter of concern, and it is essential that all parties involved are mindful of the potential consequences of any actions taken. It is crucial that both the UK and the EU work together to ensure that the peace agreement remains intact and that the citizens of Northern Ireland continue to live in peace and security.