David Stanton
Question:22. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to report on the current situation in Sudan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3377/24]
View answerThursday, 25 January 2024
Questions (22)
Oral answers (9 contributions)
I wish to give the Tánaiste an opportunity to comment on the current situation in Sudan, the third largest country in Africa, with 49 million people there needing aid at the moment, 7.5 million displaced and tens of thousands killed in the ongoing war. Will the Tánaiste comment on that situation and Ireland's and Europe's reaction to it?
We are very concerned. What is going on in Sudan is shocking. It is a further illustration of how proxy wars are taking place across the world and malign influences are resulting in wars of this kind, which cause immense suffering for people. The people of Sudan are suffering hugely. The situation in Sudan has not received the attention it should because of everything else happening in the world, in Ukraine and the Middle East, for example.
We have provided aid and support. At the meeting on Monday of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, we had a discussion with the Arab states in respect of Sudan, particularly with Egypt, which gave us a good readout of what is happening there. Efforts are still being made within the African Union to try to bring this to a conclusion but there are no signs yet of any cessation or ceasefire. The prospect of potential regional escalation is very real. That relates to our migration debates. As long as there are wars and conflicts of this kind and jihadism arriving on the scene in other countries, in the Sahel and other areas, there will be people who want to save their families and get out of these horrible situations.
I thank the Tánaiste for his comment. Will the Tánaiste inform the House with respect to the sanctions put in place by the European Union to try to influence the awful civil war in Sudan whether there are plans to increase the sanctions on both sides? Will he comment on the alleged war crimes committed by both sides? Would he like to comment on the recent issue that Sudan has left the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, IGAD, which was set up to promote development among countries in that part of Africa?
We continually review our sanctions at EU level. I foresee further sanctions and we will continue support and aid. It is deteriorating rapidly. There are two opposing forces and it is becoming increasingly bitter. We will work with the African Union and other powers to try to bring stability and get a resolution. The European Union will do everything it can to bring stability with the neighbouring states of Sudan. That covers all three areas of sanctions, support aid and political resolution.
I understand these wars are being financed and that very complex financial networks are involved. Has any effort been made by the European Union to investigate these networks and intervene to stop the money driving these wars? The Tánaiste mentioned these were proxy wars, which leads to the question who is behind it. What countries are fighting this proxy war on both sides? Who is supporting the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudan army? Will the Tánaiste comment on the impact on the seven neighbouring countries? They are now putting up with and having to deal with refugees fleeing Sudan. As I said, 7.5 million people are displaced. Will the Tánaiste also comment on the aid needed? From what I have read, about 49 million people need aid in Sudan at the moment.
The conflict puts millions in peril due to starvation and famine. Ireland has supported various UN funds to ensure immediate aid gets in but also to ensure humanitarian corridors are created to facilitate aid to Sudan. These are also resource wars with people waging war with a view to getting their hands on resources. The link between this and migration is very strong. The neighbouring countries are feeling the pressure hugely. We just passed the Egyptian-European Union stabilisation agreement again, which will involve stronger supports for Egypt to deal with the migration issues, for example. Egypt has a stabilising role in that region in respect of migration. It takes people in. It is arguable that it may need stronger support from the European Union to enable it to deal with the resources issue.
We are over time. We are running out of time. There is one last question. Deputy Boyd Barrett literally has time to put his question.
I thought we were over time.
We are over time on that specific question.
Question No. 23 taken with Written Answers.