Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for asking this question. What has been happening in Tigray is quite shocking. I remain deeply concerned by the ongoing conflict, which has seen many people killed, injured and displaced, and which is feeding into instability across the Horn of Africa.

Since joining the UN Security Council, Ireland has worked consistently to ensure a focus on the conflict in Ethiopia, initiating discussions at the Council in February and March, and leading negotiations that led to the adoption of a press statement on the situation in Tigray on 22 April, the first time the Council has spoken publicly on the crisis. We will work to ensure the Council maintains its focus on this pressing issue.

An immediate ceasefire is the most important step all parties can take. In this regard, it is imperative that Eritrean forces leave Tigray immediately. The humanitarian situation in Tigray continues to be extremely difficult, in particular the situation of internally displaced persons. My Department, through the Irish Aid programme, has so far provided over €3.2 million to support the vital humanitarian response on the ground.

There are multiple credible and harrowing reports of ongoing human rights violations, including, in particular, sexual violence being used as a tool of war in Tigray. I strongly support the work of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, working with the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, to investigate reported atrocities. I continue to engage with a range of key interlocutors in the region and the African Union. There is significant Gulf engagement in the Horn of Africa and I have discussed the situation in Tigray with the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates.

The EU is also engaging with the Gulf states on the situation. Finland’s foreign minister has visited the region twice on behalf of the EU, including visits to Saudi Arabia and the UAE which examined the ways in which Gulf countries can play a constructive role in addressing the Tigray crisis. Ireland will continue to avail of all opportunities to raise our concerns on the Tigray crisis in our bilateral contacts with Gulf interlocutors and at UN and EU levels.

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