Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 December 2009
248 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the situation in Mozambique with particular reference to the evolution of the democratic process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47123/09]
View answerMozambique has made good progress in recovering from the 1977-1992 civil war and is one of Africa's most successful examples of post-conflict reconstruction and development. It is both stable and democratic, even though there has been no change of government since the transition to democracy. Political stability has been underpinned by national reconstruction and relatively rapid economic growth. The fourth Presidential and Legislative and first Provincial Assembly elections took place on 28th October this year. A number of election observation missions monitored the process, including an EU mission, and all commended the well-managed and peaceful election day which experienced little violence and few incidents. The summary of the preliminary report by the EU Election Observation Mission which was presented on 30 October is that the elections were well managed and the campaign had been constructive.
However, the period before the elections was marked by controversy arising from the rejection by the National Elections Commission (CNE) of some of the party lists for the parliamentary and provincial contests, as well as the opaque manner in which the process was managed. More specifically, the CNE rejected a large number of party lists submitted by an emerging opposition party, Movimento Democrático de Moçambique (MDM), as well as by a number of smaller parties, all allegedly on the basis of irregularities in their submissions. As a consequence, voter choice was significantly reduced. These pre-election events should be seen against a background in which Mozambique has made solid progress over a decade or more in poverty reduction. However, in spite of that progress, a significant number of governance concerns remain. The events before the elections, by reducing voter choice, disappointed high expectations for the election process.
Final results were published on 11 November, less than fifteen days after voting day as required by law. In the Presidential elections, incumbent Armando Guebuza, with a 75% of the vote, won the second of two permitted terms. Afonso Dhlakama of Renamo fell to 16% from 32% in 2004, while Daviz Simango of MDM, won 9%. In addition, with 76% of the seats in parliament, control of 42 out of 43 municipalities and of all provincial assemblies, Frelimo is now the dominant political force in Mozambique. Voter turn-out, at 44 %, was 8% up on the low turn-out in 2004 of 36% (there are about 9.8 million registered voters).
Arising from our concerns about the elections process, Ireland — as a member of the Group of 19 lead donors — has been playing an active role in the dialogue which is underway on this subject between donors and the Government of Mozambique. Along with our EU and other donor partners, we remain committed to ensuring that both the wider governance agenda and issues underlying the recent elections are fully addressed.
249 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in Chad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47124/09]
View answerSince 2002, the political situation in Chad has been dominated by threats of armed rebellion against the government of President Idriss Déby. While the government signed an accord with civilian opposition parties in 2007, providing for a degree of political reform, armed rebel groups have remained active and intent on overthrowing the government by force.
The most recent threat to the Government came from a rebel offensive in eastern Chad in May. The government's success in halting the rebel advance seems to confirm that the Chadian armed forces have achieved military superiority. The emergence of new tensions in the UFR rebel coalition, composed of eight rebel groups, suggests that they are unlikely to be able to pose a substantial military challenge to the Government in the foreseeable future. The Government's financial and military advantage also suggests that a political change of leadership in Chad is unlikely in the immediate future. Parliamentary elections due later this year and presidential elections due in 2010 have been deferred by another year, due to the slow pace of preparations.
Relations with Sudan deteriorated sharply after the failed rebel offensive, with Chad accusing the Sudanese government of supporting the rebels. In recent months, however, relations between the two countries appear to have improved. In October a high-level Sudanese delegation visited N'djamena where they met with President Déby. At the same time, relations between the two countries traditionally have been volatile and the current phase of improving relations may not continue.
The European Union operation in Chad and the Central African Republic (EUFOR Tchad/RCA) was established for a period of one year from March 2008. It played a key role in ensuring the security of refugees and displaced persons living in camps along the eastern border of Chad, and in facilitating the provision of humanitarian relief. I wish to pay tribute to the success of EUFOR and to the professionalism of the members of the Irish Defence Forces who participated in the mission, including Lieutenant General Pat Nash, the Operation Commander. EUFOR transferred authority to a UN mission, MINURCAT, on 15 March 2009. Over 400 Irish troops are now serving with MINURCAT. The mandate of the military aspect of MINURCAT is similar to that of EUFOR. Since the UN took over responsibility it has faced a number of challenges, including the upsurge in rebel activities, and difficulties with force generation. Ireland has strongly supported the EUFOR mission from the outset, and we will continue to support MINURCAT.
Instability in eastern Chad is closely linked to the conflict in neighbouring Darfur, and any progress towards a peace settlement in Darfur is likely to have a positive impact on the political situation in Chad. Conversely, any deterioration in the situation in Darfur is likely to have a serious destabilizing effect on the parts of Chad that border it. Cooperation between the governments of Sudan and Chad in addressing the causes of instability in the region is also vital, and I urge both governments to work together towards this objective. Ireland will continue to monitor the political and humanitarian situation in Chad, and support humanitarian relief efforts, to which Irish Aid has contributed more than €14.5 million since 2007.
250 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which the EU is engaged in promoting good relations between Russia and Georgia and the Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47125/09]
View answer254 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps necessary either here or at EU level to promote and improve relations between Russia and the Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47129/09]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 254 together.
The EU remains closely engaged with both Russia and Georgia in conflict resolution efforts following the August 2008 conflict over the break-away regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The September 2008 peace plan, brokered by the French EU Presidency, provided for talks to take place in Geneva under the co-chairmanship of the EU, UN, and the OSCE. The talks have taken place on eight occasions, most recently on 11 November 2009. While progress have been limited, the talks are important as they are the only forum in which all the parties to the conflict are involved.
In October 2008, the EU deployed a Monitoring Mission in Georgia. This Mission plays an important role in stabilising the situation on the ground. The EU also intervenes with both sides when incidents arise which threaten the fragile peace. In October 2009, the EU-backed independent Tagliavini Report into the origins of the conflict was published. The Report found fault on both sides and made useful recommendations on how such a conflict could be avoided in the future. Ireland strongly supports EU conflict resolution efforts in Georgia, particularly its co-chairmanship of the Geneva Talks and the deployment of the EU Monitoring Mission, to which Ireland contributes four personnel. Along with our EU partners, we continue to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.
Turning to Ukraine, as the Deputy may be aware, disputes over energy have strained its relations with Russia in recent years and have led to disruptions to gas supplies, including earlier this year. The disruptions also affected other European countries, including some EU member states. The EU took an active role in helping to resolve these disputes and continues to engage both sides at a high level. In July this year, the European Commission negotiated a deal with Ukraine and international financial institutions (including the IMF, World Bank and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) on modernising Ukraine's gas transportation system. Meanwhile, in November, the EU and Russia signed an agreement establishing an early warning mechanism to improve prevention and management in case of an energy crisis.
An EU-Russia Summit took place in Stockholm on 18 November 2009 while an EU-Ukraine Summit took place in Kiev on 4 December 2009. Both Summits provided an opportunity to discuss regional issues, including energy security. Ireland supports EU efforts to improve relations between Russia and Ukraine.
Finally, I would note that both Ukraine and Georgia are members of the EU's new Eastern Partnership initiative which seeks to enhance relations with our Eastern neighbours. The Taoiseach attended the launch of the Eastern Partnership in May 2009.
