An end appears to be in sight for the Northern Irish conflict that has spanned over 40 years. While arms were laid down by the Irish Republican Army in 2005, a stand off continued over the arrangements for a power sharing government between Sinn Fein, the Catholic and Irish nationalist party, and the Protestant Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
Just before another deadline for agreements towards a devolved Northern Irish government passed, the two sides pushed a decision for self-rule through. The image above is itself a sign of change, as for years the Reverend Ian Paisley, leader of the DUP, refused to be seated in the same room as Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, much less within arms reach.
What began as a civil rights movement for Catholics in Ulster exploded into a full fledged armed conflict between militant parties after the events on January 30, 1972, known as 'Bloody Sunday'.
What the agreement on Monday established is that by May 8, a Northern Irish Parliament will be restored much of the control over internal affairs that it ceded to London at the end of March in 1972. Since then, views between the dominant parties Sinn Fein and the DUP have been seemingly irreconcilable. Fettered by mistrust over Sinn Fein's former association with the militant Irish Republican Army (IRA), and especially Adams alleged role as the IRA's leader, Paisley refused any situation involving equal presence in government.
Given the deeply sown differences between the two parties, political cooperation was a tedious achievement that broke down several times. Rhetoric between leaders has been stubbornly unmoving, considering a formal cease fire was signed by the IRA almost ten years ago, yet the gains of the agreement are immediately obvious with the British government allegedly planning infuse 35 billion pounds into the province.
What was for so long a conflict between divided traditions turns toward a hopeful improvement regarding the future of the entire province. No doubt the economic emergence over the past decade of the Republic of Ireland spurred the two sides into political action. While optimism was the air of the day, both Adams and Paisley were sure to invoke the memory of those lost in the conflict, which was over 3,500 people during the 30 year period of the Troubles.
“We are very conscious of the many people who have suffered,” Mr. Adams said. “We owe it to them to build the best possible future.” He added, “It is a time for generosity, a time to be mindful of the common good and of the future of all our people.”
And Paisley:
“We must not allow our justified loathing of the horrors and tragedies of the past to become a barrier to creating a better and more stable future. In looking to the future we must never forget those who have suffered during the dark period from which we are, please God, emerging.”
This turn towards the future is exactly what so many people have been encouraging for years. There will no doubt continue to be tension, especially during the marching season which seems to be a crude reminder of past Protestant hostility towards the Irish Catholics every spring.
But this agreement is a positive sign that what was once a conflict tainted by terrorist activity and merciless killing is moving towards a final chapter of non-violent politics and an attempt by once feuding communities to recognize their mutual needs and interests.
If you're interested in more, the CAIN database is an extensive resource for the history of the conflict.
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