On the eve of Good Friday, US President Joe Biden traveled to Northern Ireland to commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the historic Good Friday Agreement, which brought an end to the Troubles, a period of sectarian violence that claimed the lives of over 3,500 people in the region.

Biden’s visit to Belfast was marked by heightened tensions between unionists and nationalists, with unionist leaders objecting to the Northern Ireland Protocol, a key part of the Brexit agreement that creates a customs border in the Irish Sea, effectively separating Northern Ireland from the rest of the United Kingdom.

Despite these tensions, Biden delivered a message of hope and reconciliation during his speech at the Ulster Hall, where he praised the Good Friday Agreement as a “beacon of hope” and emphasized the importance of protecting the peace process.

The president also met with Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Arlene Foster, and Deputy First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, as well as other political leaders and community representatives, to discuss the ongoing challenges facing Northern Ireland.

Biden’s visit was seen as a significant gesture of support for the peace process, particularly at a time when it is facing renewed challenges. The Northern Ireland Protocol has sparked protests and tensions among unionists who feel it undermines Northern Ireland’s place within the UK, while nationalists argue that it is necessary to maintain the peace on the island of Ireland.

During his visit, Biden reaffirmed the US’s commitment to the peace process, stating that “the United States remains steadfast in our support for a secure and prosperous Northern Ireland, in which all communities have a voice and enjoy the gains of the hard-won peace.”

Biden’s visit to Belfast was a reminder of the importance of continued international support for the peace process, and a call to all sides to work together to ensure that the gains of the Good Friday Agreement are not lost.