Agreement between Nationalists and UK Government in 1998

In 1998, an agreement was reached between the Nationalists and the UK government, which is also known as the Good Friday Agreement or the Belfast Agreement. This agreement was a significant milestone in the Northern Ireland peace process.

Background

The conflict in Northern Ireland, also known as the Troubles, began in the late 1960s and lasted for over three decades. It was mainly between the Nationalists (predominantly Catholic) and Unionists (predominantly Protestant). The conflict resulted in over 3,500 deaths and many more injured.

The Good Friday Agreement

The Good Friday Agreement was signed on 10th April 1998, after months of negotiations. The agreement was made between the UK government, the Republic of Ireland government, and most of the political parties in Northern Ireland, including the Nationalists and Unionists.

The key provisions of the agreement were:

- Establishment of a power-sharing government in Northern Ireland, where both Nationalists and Unionists would have equal representation.
- Recognition of the right of the people of Northern Ireland to identify as Irish or British, or both.
- Establishment of the North-South Ministerial Council, which would allow the Northern Ireland Assembly to work with the Irish government on issues of mutual interest.
- Release of prisoners who were convicted of paramilitary offenses related to the conflict.
- Creation of the Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland, which would oversee the reform of the police force in Northern Ireland.

Impact

The signing of the Good Friday Agreement brought an end to the violence and allowed for the development of a more peaceful and stable society in Northern Ireland. The agreement has also been a model for conflict resolution in other parts of the world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the agreement between Nationalists and the UK government was reached in 1998, which is also known as the Good Friday Agreement. This agreement was a significant milestone in the Northern Ireland peace process, which brought an end to the violence and allowed for the development of a more peaceful and stable society.