George Mitchell, the former US senator who played a key role in bringing an end to the Troubles in Northern Ireland through the Good Friday Agreement, has urged the region to have more confidence in its own abilities. Mitchell’s message comes as Northern Ireland experiences a period of political instability and ongoing uncertainty over Brexit. In this article, we take a closer look at Mitchell’s career and the advice he has for Northern Ireland today.
George Mitchell, the American statesman who famously brokered the 1998 Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland, recently returned to Belfast to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the historic peace deal, and called on the people to have greater self-confidence in the political process. Speaking to Sky News, Mitchell urged political leaders to overcome difficulties and restore power-sharing, saying that it was “not beyond the competence or ability” of those involved to bring about a solution. The former US senator also encouraged Northern Irish citizens to be less self-critical and to have more faith in their own society, saying that there was no society in the world that was free of disputes or violence.
The Good Friday Agreement, which brought an end to three decades of violence in Northern Ireland, has not led to the political stability that had been hoped for, with some parties refusing to cooperate within a power-sharing government. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), for example, has stated that the recent UK/EU trade deal does not address its concerns, leading to further stalemate in the political process.
Senator Mitchell, who chaired the peace talks that led to the agreement, was first appointed to the role of President Bill Clinton’s trade envoy to Northern Ireland in 1994. He offered a message of support to the people of Northern Ireland, stating that they were a “great people” who could do better, and that “we all can do better.” He also emphasized that political difficulties and problems were to be expected, and urged those involved to work towards practical solutions for the challenges facing people on a daily basis.
During his visit, a bronze bust of Mitchell was unveiled in the grounds of Queen’s University in Belfast. The 89-year-old, who was diagnosed with acute leukemia three years ago, described the unveiling as his farewell to Northern Ireland. Asked how he wanted to be remembered by the people of Northern Ireland, he replied: “As a friend, a supporter, someone who loves them and believes in them.”
The Good Friday Agreement remains a transformative moment in Northern Ireland’s history and a model for other regions dealing with political instability and conflict. Mitchell’s message of self-confidence and belief in the ability to overcome difficulties is a reminder of the resilience and determination that led to that historic agreement, and provides hope for the future of Northern Ireland’s political process.
