I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 55 and 56 together.
Last month’s military coup was a major setback to Sudan’s hard-won democratic transition. The military leadership’s violent crackdown on the country’s civilian and civil society leadership, mass detention of protestors and methodical dismantling of transitional institutions are unacceptable.
It is vital that the international community send a strong message: the democratic transition must be restored and all those unlawfully detained must be released. Ireland continues to stress this at the United Nations and within the European Union. Sudan’s democratic transition is too important to fail, for the people of Sudan, and for the stability of the Horn of Africa region as a whole.
Ireland supported a Security Council Press Statement on 28 October condemning the coup, and was unequivocal in denouncing the action by Sudan’s military leaders at two Council meetings on Sudan, most recently on 11 November. We continue to keep further Council action under consideration, as we support the mediation efforts of the African Union, United Nations and EU envoys.
We have also pushed for a strong EU response. High Representative Josep Borrell issued a statement on 26 October on behalf of the 27 EU member States warning of serious consequences if the move to dismantle the transitional government was not reversed. At the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 15 November Minister Coveney discussed the need to incentivise a return to the path to democracy, including exploring all tools at our disposal.
Ireland is ready to consider further restrictive or financial measures, including under the EU’s Global Human Rights sanctions regime, while keeping in mind the increasing humanitarian needs on the ground.
We also remain concerned by the deteriorating human rights situation. At the Human Rights Council Special Session on Sudan on 5 November, Ireland urged the military authorities to respect the rights of peaceful assembly and return to the full implementation of the Constitutional Document and the Juba Peace Agreement.
As the crisis evolves, my officials, including through our Embassy in Nairobi accredited to Sudan, will continue to closely monitor the situation and work with our partners for a cohesive collective response and restoration of the democratic transition.