The British government published a draft agreement on Thursday evening January 9 to restore local government in Northern Ireland, which has been shutdown for three years today. Stormont’s local assembly is scheduled to meet in Belfast on Friday.
To enter into force, the agreement must be approved by the unionists of the DUP and the republicans of Sinn Fein, who must share the governance of the British province. And this under the Good Friday Peace Agreement of 1998, which put an end to the "Troubles" between Republicans (mainly Catholics) and Unionists (especially Protestants), violence which has left nearly 3,500 dead in 30 years. "This is a moment of truth for the Belfast agreement", Minister for Northern Ireland Julian Smith said in a statement, calling on the parties to meet and form a government "In the interest of Northern Ireland".
DUP chief Arlene Foster seemed to approach this draft agreement favorably: "We believe that there is a basis on which the Assembly and the executive can be restored in a fair and balanced manner". For her part, the chief of Sinn Fein Mary-Lou Mc Donald said that her party, which is to meet on Friday, is examining the text " carefully ".
Paralyzed assembly
A political and financial scandal had brought down the previous government coalition in January 2017 and several rounds of negotiations since have failed to lift the blockage. Discussions resumed on December 16. "There is no need, and public opinion no longer has the patience, to continue the process and the discussions"said Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney. He published the draft agreement with London, reflecting the role of the Republic of Ireland in the peace agreements. And he called both parties "To make a collective commitment to ensure that politics benefit the population". If the executive is not restored to January 13, the London government would have to call regional elections.
The issue is all the more crucial as the local assembly, currently paralyzed, is said to have a say in the controversial customs arrangements aimed at preventing the return of a physical border with the Republic of Ireland after Brexit.
In last month's legislative elections, the province elected for the first time in Westminster more Republican deputies (9, including 7 for Sinn Fein and 2 for SDLP Social Democrats), supporters of reunification with Ireland. , than DUP unionists, in favor of remaining under the British crown.
