Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
82. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will respond to a UN report that argues that socioeconomic conditions are driving young Africans into extremist militant groups, given Ireland’s role in UN and EU missions in Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13679/23]
View answerDeputy Lawless is now present, so I do not know whether-----
That is decent of Deputy Brady. I would have ploughed ahead.
I will plough ahead then. My question was to ask the Tánaiste, given Ireland's role in UN and EU missions in Africa, to respond to a UN report that argues that socioeconomic conditions are driving young Africans into extremist militant groups. Will he make a statement on the matter?
The Government is deeply concerned by the continued threat posed by terrorism and violent extremism to peace and security around the world, including on the African continent. The recent UN report referred to by the Deputy makes the case clearly that terrorism and violent extremism, in addition to destroying lives, undermines development gains and threatens to hold back progress for generations to come. The report also notes the unique role for development projects in addressing structural drivers of poverty, food insecurity and conflict. Ireland prioritises such a comprehensive approach through our international development programme and in our bilateral engagement with partners in Africa, at the UN and as a member of the European Union. We believe that efforts to address terrorism and violent extremism in Africa require integrated approaches that seek to address the drivers of violence and root causes of instability. Communities affected by conflict, poverty, inequality, discrimination, poor governance and human rights violations are clearly more vulnerable to radicalisation and recruitment. We also recognise the links between climate change and conflict, and that terrorist organisations exploit those in vulnerable and precarious conditions for recruitment purposes.
Ireland works to ensure that the protection of civilians, humanitarian need, and development for local populations are at the centre of EU and international efforts. We demonstrated this consistently during our term on the UN Security Council, and we are continuing to work closely with the African Union and African subregional organisations. Humanitarian needs in parts of Africa remain acute, and Ireland continues to respond through our development programme. Irish support continues to target those most in need. Last year, for instance, we provided a total of €100 million in assistance to the Horn of Africa. In addition, Ireland supports UN and EU missions in Africa and is currently contributing personnel to three EU peace support missions on the continent.
Since 2020, there has been a 130% increase in violence in the Sahel region. In excess of 8,000 people were killed there last year as a result of militant Islamic violence. As the Minister of State outlined, temperatures are increasing as a consequence of climate change and are rising one and a half times faster than the global average. According to the UN development programme, with no way to make a living, as I outlined in my opening remarks, many young men in sub-Saharan Africa are being driven into the arms of Islamic terrorists. We are talking about countries such as Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia and Sudan. Sub-Saharan Africa is described by the UN as the new global epicentre of violence and extremism. In 2021, 48% of global deaths from terrorism occurred there. There is a major crisis there which needs serious intervention. We have seen the military experiment in the region by the EU fail. There needs to be serious investment, given the fact that the World Food Programme is being cut. Immediate action is needed.
Regarding the Sahel region and western Africa, I visited Senegal with the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, earlier this year. It was a very productive visit in terms of his and our relationship with the 34 African nations represented at that meeting. We have a very strong record of supporting development work in the Horn of Africa and dealing with the humanitarian challenges in Somalia, and especially in Sudan. I intend to visit Malawi in the next week or so for a week to see first-hand the level of poverty and the areas of vulnerability relating to the issues discussed by Deputy Brady. We will have a continued presence on the ground. For example, we recently opened an embassy in Dakar in Senegal and we intend opening further embassies in Africa. Ireland will be much closer to all of these situations and will be able to respond to them more comprehensively.
