Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 February 2005
113 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the recent signing of a comprehensive peace agreement on Sudan between the Sudanese Government and the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement; his further views on whether this new agreement represents an opportunity to end conflict in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2777/05]
View answer136 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the situation in Sudan and the humanitarian assistance that is being given to those in Darfur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2624/05]
View answer192 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the level of humanitarian aid that is being given by the Government to Sudan for 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2644/05]
View answer244 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he intends to initiate steps to alleviate starvation and war in Sudan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3128/05]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 113, 136, 192 and 244 together.
The overall prospects for establishing peace and promoting development in all parts of Sudan have been greatly enhanced by the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement for southern Sudan between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-Army, SPLM-A, in Nairobi, Kenya on 9 January 2005. This is an important and welcome commitment by the Sudan Government and the SPLM to finally end 21 years of conflict between north and south in that troubled country, which has killed thousands of people and displaced many others. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development, IGAD, the Kenyan Government and the international community, especially the EU, USA and Norway, played key roles in its achievement. It is vital that the Sudanese Government and the SPLM-A now proceed with rapid and full implementation of the agreement.
Ireland, together with the rest of the international community, is ready to play its part in supporting the reconstruction of Sudan following the restoration of peace. During 2004, Ireland provided almost €10 million in humanitarian support to Sudan, including Darfur, and we plan to provide additional funding in 2005. On 25 January 2005, the European Commission and the Sudan Government signed a country strategy paper covering planned EU assistance to Sudan from 2005 to 2007, for which around €400 million has been allocated. This support will focus on food security, education, promotion of democracy, good governance and human rights, resettlement of internally displaced persons and demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration of combatants. A quick disbursement programme of €50 million will shortly be launched as an immediate peace dividend, benefiting north and south equally.
The UN Security Council will shortly consider proposals from the Secretary General to establish a UN peace support operation to assist in implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement. This mission would focus on providing political support to the peace process, security and monitoring aspects, support for governance and humanitarian assistance and development over a seven year period.
I understand that the UN is also encouraging the Sudan Government to convene a national conference, in which all the stakeholders to the various conflicts in Sudan would be represented and which would provide a single framework to address all the conflicts. Holding of this conference will be facilitated by the agreement reached on 17 January 2005 in Cairo between the Sudan Government and the opposition National Democratic Alliance, NDA, but a number of major opposition groups have not yet agreed to participate. If it were possible for all the parties to reach agreement on the framework for an overarching settlement, it would greatly facilitate agreement in Darfur.
The humanitarian situation in the Darfur region remains a matter of the deepest concern for Ireland. The Government continues to use all avenues open to it to urge action in addressing the humanitarian, security and political challenges which exist there.
The most recent report of the UN Secretary General's Special Representative, Mr. Jan Pronk, has provided further worrying evidence of how both the Sudan Government and the rebels are continuing to violate the ceasefire agreements. Humanitarian delivery continues to be jeopardised by the escalation in security incidents across many parts of Darfur. I am deeply conscious that some 2 million people are now displaced from their homes. This figure is still rising. Violent attacks by both sides in the conflict have heightened the atmosphere of insecurity in many parts of Darfur. This is having a negative impact on the delivery of humanitarian aid. Already, the spring 2005 harvest is in jeopardy as there is no sign of a sufficiently improved security climate to permit returns by internally displaced persons in an environment of safety and security.
I am also concerned by reports of continuing harassment of humanitarian personnel. There have been worrying reports of kidnappings of humanitarian workers. I reiterate the importance of respect for international humanitarian law in this situation. A number of parts of Darfur are now considered no-go areas for international humanitarian workers due to the adverse security environment. These are serious developments for the survival of the displaced populations in Darfur.
Sustained international pressure therefore needs to be maintained on all the parties to honour their commitments and work to improve the security situation in Darfur. The Government of Sudan must be pressed to accept its responsibility for security and the protection of its citizens by disbanding the Janjaweed militia and bringing all those responsible for serious human rights violations to justice. There must also be an end to any attempts at forced relocation of internally displaced persons. The rebels, for their part, must cease all attacks and ceasefire violations. All parties must co-operate fully and constructively with the international presence in Darfur, including the UN, the African Union and those engaged in the humanitarian effort.
The recent comprehensive political agreement for south Sudan has highlighted the need for parallel political progress with regard to the Darfur conflict. The AU-mediated peace talks are due to resume in Abuja at the beginning of March. I would urge the Sudanese Government and the rebel groups to re-commit themselves fully to this process and resume negotiations as speedily as possible, with a view to reaching an early and final political agreement.
The report of the UN's international commission of inquiry on whether serious violations of human rights, international humanitarian law and genocide have occurred in Darfur was made public last Monday evening. This report provides evidence that serious violations have occurred and Ireland is of the opinion that the report should be referred to the International Criminal Court to ensure that those guilty of such crimes are punished.
