Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 September 2023
128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the current position of the activity of warlords in Africa, with particular reference to the activities of Al Shabaab and Boko Haram; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42085/23]
View answerIreland strongly condemns the violence perpetrated by Al-Shabaab and Boko Haram, and we are supporting efforts to reduce their influence and assist populations affected by their actions.
During our term as an elected member of the UN Security Council, Ireland played an important role in the drafting and introduction of the mandate for the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), with its critical role in combatting Al-Shabaab. Ireland remains engaged through the EU, which is the Mission's primary source of funding. ATMIS, together with the three EU Common Security and Defence Policy Missions in the Horn of Africa, is helping to create conditions for a transfer of security responsibility to the Somali authorities. Ireland has also provided €58 million in direct humanitarian assistance to Somalia since 2015. This includes €9 million made available at the end of 2022 as part of a package of emergency assistance of €30 million in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis across the Horn of Africa.
In areas in which Boko Haram is active, Ireland is likewise playing its part in helping to tackle the causes and consequences of armed conflict and forced displacement. Since 2015, we have provided over €37 million in bilateral assistance for the Lake Chad region, including North-East Nigeria. Ireland is also contributing directly to peace and security efforts. Through the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and the UN Peacebuilding Commission, the UN is working to stabilise the Lake Chad region. During Ireland's term on the Security Council we were co-penholder with Niger and subsequently Ghana on the UNOWAS file. Ireland is also a member of the International Support Group of the Regional Stabilisation Strategy for the Lake Chad Basin, and has observer status at the Sahel Alliance.
