British and Irish governments ‘should negotiate paramilitary disbandment in Northern Ireland’

A new report argues that the British and Irish governments should actively pursue dialogue with Northern Ireland’s remaining paramilitary factions to secure their formal disbandment, warning that the moment to act may be fleeting. The proposal calls for a structured transition process, but only if key conditions—likely including political buy-in and security assurances—are fulfilled. With tensions lingering over legacy issues, the findings suggest a rare alignment of circumstances could make disarmament negotiations more viable than in recent years. The full analysis outlines the risks of inaction and the potential benefits of seizing this potential opening.

Report finds ‘window of opportunity’ for formal process involving loyalist and republican groupsThe British and Irish governments should engage with paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland to negotiate their disbandment, according to a report.A “window of opportunity” exists to establish a formal transition mechanism for loyalist and republican groups, provided certain conditions are met, it said. Continue reading...