Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 January 2018
64. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the activities of Boko Haram continue to be restricted throughout Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3912/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra65. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the continued action taken by the international community to curb the activities of Al-Shabaab; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3913/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 65 together.
I remain deeply concerned by the peace and security threat posed by Al-Shabaab and Boko Haram, and by the consequent humanitarian crises across East and West Africa. In Somalia, the security situation remains extremely fragile. Al-Shabaab continue to launch attacks on government facilities and civilians. They remain a core threat to peace and stability in the country. In the Lake Chad region, regional armed forces have made progress in containing Boko Haram but the group continue to represent a serious transboundary threat to peace, stability, and prosperity, with millions of people affected by violence and displacement.
Ireland and the EU remain firm supporters of peace and stability in Somalia and the Lake Chad region. The EU continues to provide considerable funding to AMISOM, the African Union-led peacekeeping mission in Somalia, to reduce the serious threat posed by Al-Shabaab. The EU provides further support, as part of its Common Security and Defence Policy, to capacity building operations in the areas of maritime law enforcement and military training in order to strengthen rule of law in Somalia and boost the Somali security forces’ ability to combat the ongoing insurgency. The EU has pledged up to €50 million in support of the 8,000 strong Multinational Joint Taskforce drawn from Nigeria and other West African countries, active against Boko Haram.
Ireland supports the comprehensive approach being taken at EU and UN level to prevent and counter terrorism. We have stressed the need to address the underlying factors that contribute to radicalisation and terrorism. Ireland sees an important link between peace, security and development, and this informs not just Ireland’s development cooperation approach but our broader foreign policy.
The combined effects of the insurgencies of Al Shabaab and Boko Haram have contributed to severe humanitarian crises and mass displacement in Somalia and the Lake Chad region. Ireland continues to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to address these crises. Ireland provided €6 million worth of assistance to Somalia in 2017, with plans to contribute to the Somalia Humanitarian Fund in the coming weeks. Ireland provided €5.2 million to Nigeria and the Lake Chad Region in 2017 and I expect that we will provide a similar level of support in 2018.
Our Embassies in Abuja and Nairobi continue to closely monitor developments in relation to Al-Shabaab and Boko Haram, and to work with the relevant Governments, regional authorities, and other key partners to support peace and stability in both regions, and to address the humanitarian crises through diplomatic engagement and humanitarian funding.
