Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2020
390. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which the international community continues to monitor the activities of Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab with reference to the areas they continue to be most active; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19089/20]
View answerIreland denounces the inexcusable acts of violence and terror perpetrated by Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab. Ireland supports a number of important international initiatives to undermine their influence and their impact on populations.
The EU is one of the main financial contributors to the UN-mandated African Union-led peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM) which supports the Federal Government of Somalia in its efforts to combat Al-Shabaab. The EU has also pledged €50 million in funding to the Multinational Joint Taskforce to improve security in West African territories affected by Boko Haram. More broadly, the EU provides significant development funding in Somalia, and in the countries affected by Boko Haram's terrorist activities.
The EU Council Conclusions of June 2020, which Ireland fully supports, reaffirm the EU’s commitment to tackling terrorism across Africa, particularly in the Sahel and Horn of Africa. The EU has three Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions in the Horn of Africa. A number of Irish nationals are deployed to EUCAP Somalia including the current Head of Mission. In the Sahel, Ireland also participates in EU missions to help Governments build a stronger, human-rights based, approach to the fight against terrorism and organised crime; 13 Defence Forces personnel participate in EUTM Mali, and Ireland deploys an expert to the Civilian CSDP mission in Niger.
Ireland also works bilaterally to promote peace and security in areas affected by armed groups. The Embassies of Ireland in Nairobi, Addis and Abuja actively monitor the situation on the ground, advise on humanitarian response and guide Ireland’s engagement in EU and UN forums. We are members of the International Support Group of the Regional Stabilisation Strategy for the Lake Chad Basin (ISG), which offers international partners a forum to coordinate support to addressing the challenges in Boko Haram-affected areas of the Lake Chad Basin.
Ireland places a strong emphasis on tackling the poverty, hunger and exclusion which can contribute to radicalisation. Ireland has provided €27 million in humanitarian funding to the Lake Chad region since 2015 and over €50 million in humanitarian funding Somalia since 2012. With humanitarian needs likely to remain acute throughout 2020, Irish funding will continue to target those most in need.
