Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023
122. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he is taking to help stop the violence which has broken out in Sudan; if he will add to Ireland’s calls for a cessation of the violence in the country and end to the killing of civilians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18987/23]
View answerThe Government, and our EU partners, are seriously concerned at the violence in Sudan. Since 15 April, heavy fighting, including air strikes, has been taking place in Khartoum and across the country between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Up to 200 civilians are believed to have been killed, including three World Food Programme workers in Darfur, and up to 2,000 injured. I was shocked to learn of the attack by armed elements on the residence of Irish diplomat Aidan O’Hara, the EU Ambassador to Sudan. While Ambassador O’Hara was not physically harmed during the attack, the incident was deeply worrying, and a serious violation of the responsibilities of host states under the Vienna Convention to protect diplomatic personnel.
The situation in Sudan is now extremely serious. There has been damage to critical infrastructure across the country, bombing of hospitals and airports, power cuts and intermittent internet access, with airspace closed and international air traffic rerouted. The violence is further magnifying an already severe humanitarian crisis in Sudan: 12 million Sudanese people were already facing acute food insecurity, with millions reliant on humanitarian aid.
On 15 April, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin TD, issued a statement calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and facilitation of humanitarian access. On 17 April, the Tánaiste issued another statement reiterating this message and condemning the assault on Ambassador O’Hara.
The Irish Embassy in Nairobi, which is accredited to Sudan, is in ongoing contact with Irish citizens who have registered, and is providing consular assistance. Ireland is engaging closely with EU and other partners to coordinate responses to the crisis. The European Union has called for an immediate end to the conflict and negotiations leading to a restoration of the country’s democratic transition.
