Why is Cyprus Divided? | After WW2

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Cyprus, an island nation located in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, has been divided for decades due to a complex web of historical, political, and cultural factors. This division is primarily between the Greek Cypriots in the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriots in the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). To explain this division adequately, we need to delve into the history and key events that have shaped Cyprus's current state of affairs.

The roots of the division can be traced back to antiquity when Cyprus was inhabited by various civilizations, including the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans. In 1878, the island was placed under British administration. During this period, tensions between the Greek and Turkish communities began to simmer, reflecting broader conflicts between Greece and Turkey.

After World War II, Cyprus became a focal point of these tensions. The Greek Cypriots, who formed the majority on the island, sought enosis, or union, with Greece. Meanwhile, the Turkish Cypriots, who constituted a minority, resisted this idea, fearing marginalization in a predominantly Greek state. These tensions culminated in violence in the 1950s, with Greek Cypriot paramilitary groups launching attacks against British colonial authorities and Turkish Cypriots. In response, the Turkish Cypriots demanded partition and self-governance.

In 1960, Cyprus gained independence from Britain, and a power-sharing arrangement was established under the Zurich and London Agreements, which guaranteed the rights of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots. However, this arrangement proved unstable, and intercommunal violence continued. In 1963, President Makarios, a Greek Cypriot, proposed constitutional amendments that effectively reduced the political power of the Turkish Cypriot community. This led to the withdrawal of Turkish Cypriots from government institutions, further fueling tensions.

The situation deteriorated in 1974 when a military junta in Greece supported a coup d'état in Cyprus, aiming to achieve enosis. In response, Turkey invaded Cyprus, citing its role as a guarantor power under the Treaty of Guarantee (1960). The Turkish military seized control of the northern part of the island, and in the aftermath, the majority of Greek Cypriots fled south, while Turkish Cypriots moved north. The United Nations established a buffer zone, known as the Green Line, which has divided the island ever since.

Efforts to reunify the island have been ongoing for decades, with numerous peace talks and diplomatic initiatives. The United Nations has played a central role in these negotiations, with various plans and proposals put forward. The most notable was the Annan Plan in 2004, which was put to a referendum but was rejected by Greek Cypriots, who argued it did not address their concerns adequately.

Today, the Republic of Cyprus, recognized by the international community, controls the southern part of the island and represents the Greek Cypriot population. In the north, the self-declared TRNC, recognized only by Turkey, governs the Turkish Cypriot community. The division has had profound social, economic, and political implications, with both sides maintaining their own institutions, governments, and security forces.

The division of Cyprus remains a complex and sensitive issue with deep-seated historical grievances and mistrust between the communities. The unresolved conflict affects daily life on the island, hampers economic development, and complicates diplomatic relations in the region. While there have been moments of optimism and progress in peace talks, a comprehensive resolution has remained elusive.