The British and Irish governments are considering engaging in discussions with paramilitary groups that remain active in Northern Ireland, aiming to encourage their disbandment,
Britain's minister for the region announced on Tuesday.
Despite the landmark 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which largely ended three decades of sectarian violence and led to the disarmament of major Irish Republican and pro-British loyalist militant organizations, splinter groups continue to operate. These factions remain involved in criminal activities, including intimidation, extortion, and drug trafficking.
The Independent Reporting Commission (IRC), responsible for monitoring paramilitary activity, reiterated its call for direct government engagement with these groups. In its latest report, the IRC highlighted that some paramilitary organizations still exert control over local communities through coercive tactics.
Responding to the recommendation, the UK and Irish governments have agreed to appoint an independent expert to conduct a short scoping exercise to determine whether a formal engagement process would be beneficial.
“This is not the beginning of a formal process,” emphasized Britain’s Northern Ireland Minister, Hilary Benn, in a statement. He also clarified that no financial incentives would be offered to paramilitary groups or individuals in exchange for ending violence and criminal activities.
The security situation in Northern Ireland has shown some signs of improvement. Last year, Britain’s MI5 intelligence agency downgraded the domestic terrorism threat level in the region from "severe"—indicating an attack was highly likely—to "substantial," meaning an attack remains likely but less imminent.
In its seventh annual report, the IRC noted a decline in shootings, bombings, and paramilitary-style assaults, crediting political and policing measures for reducing such incidents. However, it warned that paramilitary organizations still pose a significant concern, underscoring the need for continued efforts to address their influence. Photo by Baldeadly at English Wikipedia.