The next item is a discussion with Mr. David Konneh, director of Don Bosco Homes in Liberia. He is accompanied by Mr. Seamus Collins and Mr. Mark Cumming. Mr. Collins will introduce Mr. Konneh.
Irish Troops in Liberia: Discussion with Don Bosco Homes and Trócaire.
Thank you, Chairman. We are here to make a brief presentation on the situation in Liberia. My two colleagues will speak on that issue. Mr. David Konneh is executive director of Don Bosco Homes. He has a bachelor's degree in philosophy from the Don Bosco Seminary in Moshe in Tanzania. Trócaire has been supporting Don Bosco Homes since 1999 as one of our main partner organisations in Liberia. Mr. Mark Cumming, Trócaire's West Africa programme officer, will speak briefly on some recent research conducted in Liberia.
Mr. David Konneh
Thank you for the opportunity to speak to this committee. First and foremost, I wish to register my thanks for Ireland's commitment to the West Africa region, as outlined in the Irish Aid White Paper. In the case of Liberia, Ireland has provided over €8 million since 2001 to help address humanitarian needs and in 2006 announced a further €20 million for Sierra Leone and Liberia to support recovery in transition from conflict.
Don Bosco Homes's experience in working with youth in difficult circumstances dates back to late 1992 when the rise in the number and problems of street children in Monrovia, mainly on account of the war, led to its formation by the Salesians of Don Bosco. By 1999 Don Bosco Homes had rehabilitated over 1,000 former child combatants, becoming one of the leading institutions working for the rehabilitation of disadvantaged children and young people, particularly street children and ex-combatants in Liberia. Under the child protection agencies of Liberia arrangement of 2003, Don Bosco was the lead child protection agency in two of the country's 15 counties. We operated six interim care centres and hosted 2,379 child ex-combatants and war affected children, all of whom have been successfully reunited with their families. In support of the disarmament, demobilisation and rehabilitation process, we operated at six training centres for the rehabilitation of ex-combatants and war affected children. Four of these centres continue to operate today.
The demobilisation has been far from satisfactory. Over 100,000 people were demobilised but only a fraction of that number handed in guns. Many disarmed by handing over ammunition in return for a payment of $300. The poor management of the demobilisation, disarmament, rehabilitation and reintegration process resulted in non-combatants purchasing ammunition so that they could avail of the pay out provided. From our standpoint, DDRR was incomplete. Funding has not been sustained to ensure meaningful opportunities for young people to move into productive peacetime activity. Of the 100,000 people demobilised, 12,640 were children. Some 39,000 of the 100,000 ex-combatants have not yet been included in reintegration programmes.
Liberia is a nation state characterised by conflict, transition and the challenge for national renewal. Despite abundant natural resources, poverty, bad governance and armed conflict undermine economic growth and human development. Liberia continues to be stable but fragile. The Government has focused on improving governance, state control over natural resources and key infrastructure. The adoption of a national security architecture, however, is still pending. Reconstituting the security forces, the key benchmark for UNMIL's drawdown, is under way, albeit with significant difficulties. The 2,000 strong new Liberian army being recruited and trained by Dyncorps from the USA may not be fully operational before 2008, according to UN sources. Meanwhile, youth unemployment, disenfranchised ex-combatants and former security apparatus members pose significant threats to Liberia's stability.
In 1999 Liberia had a human development index of 0.276 and was ranked 134 out of 135 countries surveyed. The impact of prolonged conflict has exacerbated the situation, with mass displacement of the population, disruption of agricultural production, destruction of limited social and economic infrastructure, the flight of capital, the brain drain of skilled manpower, and the erosion of investor confidence in political stability of the country. Liberia is currently in a post-conflict, compound-complex development situation. In this regard, I welcome the news from the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs suggesting that Liberia will be the likely initial focus of the newly-established conflict resolution unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Liberia's reconstruction and recovery needs are many. National capacity is limited. The 2006-2007 national budget of €129 million is less than 30% of the annual budgets of the 1980s. The national debt is approximately $3.7 billion. While I welcome the proposed write-off of €700 million at the recent Liberia Partners Forum, the level of debt remains unsustainable. The public service is bloated, ineffective and inefficient. Social and economic infrastructures are inadequate and in a general state of disrepair. The macro-economic policy making and management environment is weak and foreign private capital has not returned on account of a "wait and see" attitude regarding genuine peace and stability. Peace and reconciliation are primary and foremost, while social capital, trust, unity and solidarity must be strengthened.
Poverty is pervasive. Unemployment is estimated at 85%. Approximately 76.2% of Liberians live in absolute poverty, with an income of less than $1 a day, while 52% live in extreme poverty with less than 50 cent a day. Social justice, human rights and the rule of law are also wanting.
External assistance is necessary in national capacity building to restore productive capacities. The following are considered the key contextual trends within Liberia over the next five years: economic growth, with greater investment, improved infrastructure and increased employment; rebuilding of the security services, national army and police such that they are open to engagement with civil society, respect the rule of law and can cope with the eventual withdrawal of UNMIL; a traumatised population where it is estimated that 70% of women were raped and where the reintegration of ex-combatants into communities where they committed atrocities is posing very significant challenges; regional instability with conflict in Ivory Coast, an ongoing crisis in Guinea and a shaky Sierra Leone facing elections in 2007; increased Government provision of services and support to young people, with greater provision of health and education services, although illiteracy will remain significant; the need to rebuild a judicial system that is independent and can guarantee respect for human rights and the rule of law; and the continued spread of HIV/AIDS.
I thank you and the people of Ireland for their ongoing support for Liberia and the West Africa region as a whole. Thank you for the many supports you have given to our devastated country.
We are aware that the Irish troops have made a magnificent contribution to establishing peace in Liberia. I understand there is genuine concern among the aid community in Liberia as to what would happen should the troops be withdrawn. We will speak with the Minister about what you have had to say and we are very happy that it is proposed to include Liberia in the conflict resolution procedures in the recent White Paper. That would be very much in keeping with the work that has been going on in Liberia. Irish aid to Liberia has almost doubled to €4.7 million this year.
The delegation is very welcome. I am pleased that the Liberian people are so appreciative of the performance of the Irish peacekeeping force in Liberia. It is good that there is a positive attitude to their contribution. I will certainly speak to Government Ministers about an ongoing Irish presence in Liberia. Four years of relative stability could be undone by premature withdrawal of our troops. That would be unthinkable and we will do all we can as Opposition spokespersons to talk to the Government on these issues.
My question is for the representatives from Trócaire. I am not trying to put them in an awkward political situation, but how will the new body set up by the Department of Foreign Affairs to deal with humanitarian problems link in with non-governmental organisations like Trócaire? Will there be duplication of effort and possible waste of resources in an Irish force operating through the United Nations, using very expensive structures? Being UN representatives, they will be paid at a very high level. Does Trócaire see any conflict between that potentially expensive way of extending aid and NGO conduit? Perhaps it is an awkward question and I will understand if you do not want to address it. I have certain worries about what may be seen as a very nice proposal which could be very expensive and could duplicate work already being done in a cost-effective way by organisations such as your own.
I join Deputy Allen in welcoming the delegation. I support the proposal that we use the mechanism of the conflict resolution unit if we can. We should certainly recommend the extension of the stay of the Irish troops.
Some of the figures are incredible — 52% living in extreme poverty with less than 50 cent a day, 76.2% with less than $1 a day and 85% unemployed. It is very clear that capacity is limited for bringing civil institutions into existence. It might in turn contribute towards a state of post-conflict development. Therefore, we should look at providing such resources as would make institutional development possible.
It would be remiss of me not to say that as I read these figures about the number of women raped and the lack of success in the handing in of arms, I am reminded of the many letters from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform which announce that everything has now been resolved in Liberia and that there is no danger to anybody. Every fact contradicts the position taken by the Department. I have represented cases in my own constituency and I often put into the documentation a map of Liberia to show where the capital is and the regions where there is conflict. The reply from the Department is that if it says the area is safe, it is safe. Because the Department has decided Liberia is OK, there can be no refugees from Liberia and nobody is at risk. We are deporting people who are at risk. That attitude, that profound ignorance, is dangerous to the lives of people and it is absolutely contradicted by the presentation we have heard.
Deputy Allen and I, both Opposition spokespersons, would be very glad to co-operate in any positive proposals for assisting and co-operating with Liberia.
The representatives are very welcome. All of us on this committee have taken an active interest in developments in Sierra Leone and Liberia, which have produced some graphic and horrific images, particularly of the rehabilitation of former child soldiers, an issue being specifically addressed by the Don Bosco Homes. I appreciate what was said about these 12,000 children and the lack of social and physical infrastructure and job opportunities. David might elaborate on its impact on the wider society. How is the Government addressing it? How is Don Bosco Homes addressing it?
In this country which is supposedly wealthy, many teenagers are wandering the streets of cities and towns simply because we have not sufficient facilities for them. That is a separate issue, but it puts into context what the delegation is attempting to do in a country ravaged by conflict where the indexes are so low. Perhaps the delegation could give some idea of how the rehabilitation process is being addressed.
Am I right that one of the defenders of democracy in Liberia was Sister Miriam O'Brien, who died last September? She often communicated with me. I was not aware that she had been ill for some time. She actively supported one of the candidates who was standing as an independent member of the Liberian Parliament. The delegation might touch on how he is progressing and the legacy she left.
Mark has been in Liberia recently. Perhaps he could tell us about the current position.
Mr. Mark Cumming
Trócaire has been in Liberia for several years and through the conflict. It is our plan to open an office in Liberia to bring forward the level of contact and discourse to longer-term development programming. We are there for the long haul, not leaving now that the conflict has apparently calmed down. We are keen to develop rural livelihood programmes and to assist in achieving good governance and the building up of civil society, the defence of human rights, leadership training, civic education and so on.
We understand that the Irish troops became very much involved with community relations and that this was very helpful. It is important if they are to be replaced by some other unit — a Pakistani unit is proposed — that the same kind of relationship should be developed. We would like to see the good work continue.
I understand that despite the best efforts of the President, there is widespread corruption within the country and the stability referred to is extremely fragile. If there is a withdrawal of troops from Liberia, there is a suggestion that it will effectively retrench and perhaps return to the horror it suffered? Does the delegation have any comment on that?
Mr. Konneh
I will start with the last question. The Government is making efforts, as is the President, who has shown leadership by example. She has started prosecuting officials for corruption. The former speaker of Parliament had to resign his position. He was at a refinery and has been accused of embezzling $1.3 million. The Government has taken the initiative to prosecute even the former president of the interim government.
The prospect of the withdrawal of troops creates fear among the Liberian people because individuals have the potential to recruit children again, many of whom are unemployed. We have a porous border with Guinea and Ivory Coast, where there are conflicts. Weapons can easily be smuggled in and out of Liberia. The Government is making an effort but it is like a drop in the ocean. Under the emergency employment programme it has hired about 500 youths to give them a basic opportunity. The target is 3,000 and in three months' time it will hire another 500. There is the potential for youths to be easily used by recruiters who would give them guns. In the last conflict it was mainly unemployed youths and children who were recruited by the fighting forces. The Government is the single largest employer and it is trying to review agreements made with the metal and steel industries. This takes time.
In Monrovia the Irish troops have made a significant impact. Because of them, we saw another side to an army. All we knew about soldiers was that they would shoot at people, but the Irish have been doing community work, even opening a library at the Don Bosco youth centre in Matari. They go into schools to teach English. They are giving a different impression of an army. They have also responded to uprisings or other sporadic conflict. They have made a positive impact on ordinary Liberians, which is why we cherish the idea of their stay being extended.
Some of members must attend business in the House and we are under some pressure. Mr. Collins might wish to say a final word.
I thank the Chairman. On Deputy Allen's point about the UN reaction force, the proof of that pudding will be in the eating when eventually it is called into play in a disaster. When the tsunami occurred in 2005, Trócaire was able to move money through the Caritas Internationalis network within 24 hours. There are effective ways to work through NGO networks. I do not think there is one solution to fit all. Each disaster is different and the complexities must be taken into account.
The research we have conducted in Liberia shows that the Irish contingent is held in very high regard by all strata of Liberian society. The effort they have put into peacekeeping and community work is very much welcomed there. Our understanding is that the die is cast in relation to the stay of the Irish troops and the logistical preparations were already being put in place when I was there last October for the eventual withdrawal of the troops in May this year and the handover had started. The Swedes were handing over to one Pakistani battalion and the Irish will be handing over to a second. We hope for a smooth transition, with the assistance of the conflict response unit.
The situation continues to be fragile. Nobody from outside the region can hope to understand its desperate complexity. This is a country which has been at war for years. There are so many factions and sub-factions and such a history involved that a person would need to be from Liberia to have any chance of understanding it. When Mark was there in October he visited a rubber plantation which was still being controlled by a militia group. At that time rubber was making $850 per tonne on the open market, which is nearly five times the GDP per capita. One can understand in a country with such poverty that people are using any means, legal and illegal, to put food in their mouths.
The message we would like to leave with the committee is appreciation for what Ireland has done for Liberia and West Africa. We also urge an understanding of the complexity of the situation which will require long-term engagement so that people in Liberia can have a full and fruitful life.
Thank you. Our foreign affairs adviser is now the ambassador to Liberia and Nigeria, Mr. Liam Cunniffe. He was with us for some time. I thank David especially for coming to us today. He is certainly living the spirit of Don Bosco, which started in Turin a long time ago. I doubt if he could walk the high wire like Don Bosco to attract young fellows to come in from the streets and learn applied technologies of different kinds. Thank you again.
I know there are heroes in every conflict. I referred to Sister O'Brien. I would like to think that there would be some acknowledgment, although it is the last thing she would have wanted. I had the privilege of meeting her on a couple of occasions. People such as that deserve enormous praise and credit.
Mr. Cumming
I am delighted Senator Mooney raised that. Not only was Sister Miriam a professional friend but she was also a close personal friend. The organisation which she and Senator Franklin established, the Development Education Network, will continue to be a long-term partner of Trócaire. That organisation is an inspiration in the way it is tackling issues of conflict in the community. The Senator is doing well.
The joint committee went into private session at 4.13 p.m. and adjourned at 4.17 p.m. until 12 noon on Thursday, 29 March 2007.