The IRA ceasefire in September 1994 came about because the IRA leadership (inside and outside the prisons) considered that it was the right time to create and develop a political strategy to advance the republican objective  to end British rule and to work for Irish reunification. 

It was not just the behind the scenes messengers and contacts who brought about the IRA cessation in 1994. Though the talks initiated by Gerry Adams of Sinn Fein and John Hume who was leader of the SDLP were crucial in advancing the idea of a peaceful political way forward, many others contributed to the IRA cessation and the beginnings of a political peace process which involved the Westminster government.  

I think the end of the IRA campaign had as much to do with the work and determination of the many human rights groups who were pursuing justice – before and after the hunger strike in 1981 – groups like Troops Out, Equality and American support groups. These groups involved people like Fr Des Wilson, Oliver Kearney, Gerry Campbell, Jim Gibney, Fr Maurice Burke and many other activists who worked tirelessly to advance the cause of justice and equality in the northeast six  counties of Ireland. 

These groups had been campaigning peacefully for justice and equality for many years before the IRA cessation in 1994. They had been confronting the British government’s abuse of power through non-violent campaigns like re-opening Border roads and campaigning to end job discrimination, challenging the British propaganda especially in the USA. These justice campaigners exposed the British/Unionist abuse of power in the 6 counties of northeast Ireland. They helped to make the British support for Unionism in the North of Ireland untenable in the eyes of the international community. The campaigns for justice allowed the political leaders of the republican movement the space and the opportunity to follow a political peaceful way forward. They opened the way for the revival of the Sinn Fein party to represent the oppressed and excluded  Irish people at the ballot box. They also challenged the politicians in the southern state to take a stand on the issue of partition and the democratic future of this island. 

It was an amazing transition and many human rights activists played their part in bringing it about. At last grass roots republicans felt they had a voice and a platform. They now had worldwide support for a new way of achieving justice and Irish unity by political means.

While individuals like Fr Alec Reid and Denis Bradley and others provided channels for dialogue to take place are often given credit for creating the Peace process, I believe that even more credit must go to the people and the groups who worked tirelessly over many years to bring about justice and equality against all the odds. 

The groups and people pursuing justice throughout the 1970s and 1980s prepared the way for the peace talks that resulted in the IRA cessation on 1st September 1994. The declaration by the IRA in 1994 changed the political situation and eventually led to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

I believe the momentum for change had grown as a result of the non-violent tactics of the justice groups campaigning for equal rights and an end to discrimination. These groups pursued the aims of the civil rights movement often risking their lives.

The success of republicans, including hunger striker Bobby Sands in the 1981 elections north and south brought about a new dynamic that convinced leading republicans of the real possibility of taking a political way forward –for the first time since the beginning of the war in 1969-70. The sacrifice of the ten hunger strikers in Long Kesh contributed greatly to the momentum for a change in republican thinking and strategy. The sacrifice of those ten men will never be forgotten.

A number of people had engaged with the leaders of the IRA over many years in an effort to bring about an end to the war – but the republican leaders in the late 1970s and 1980s did not consider the time was right for them to end their military campaign. They felt that the time was not opportune for them to take a peaceful political way forward. They were afraid that it would be promoted  by the British and their supporters as a capitulation leaving them open to ridicule. It was only when it became absolutely clear to the leadership that the time was right to take a new political path and to abandon the military strategy.

Since 1994 the republican movement represented by the Sinn Fein party  has gone from strength to strength. It has become increasingly clear that they took the right decision in 1994 and many throughout Ireland and abroad have shown support for that decision.

The momentum for radical change has grown to the extent that Irish unity is now  on the agenda. The incoming Dublin government will have a key part to play in advancing the cause of Irish unity and the ending of British involvement in Ireland’s affairs. That will be the most positive outcome of the Good Friday Agreement.

There are many lessons to be learned from all of this. These are just three that come to mind. Firstly, all wars end with dialogue. The oppressed must be heard. Secondly, Justice is the basis for peace. Thirdly, the truth will set you free. You might like to add to the list.