Following the ceasefires, tensions began to reduce in both communities and tentative contact between communities began.
At the same time, and following the removal of Andre Shoukri as brigadier of the North Belfast UDA, this organisation began a process of positive transition which resulted in a strategy of supporting loyalist communities rather than encouraging and supporting drug dealing, money lending and other criminality orchestrated by Shoukri, which was destroying the very fabric of loyalist areas in North Belfast.
North Belfast Community Development and Transition Group therefore became the vehicle for promoting, supporting and managing this transition. Conflict transformation, peace building and community development became the tools for change whilst also participating at a table of accountability whereby police, statutory agencies, churches/ ministers, successful business people and community representatives monitored NBCDTG's performance and commitment to work in a totally open and transparent and peaceful manner.
