Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the situation in Sudan; the progress which has been made on the implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13034/06]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts the Government, on its own behalf and with the European Union, is making to relieve the conflict in Darfur; the new initiatives as have originated over the past six months to deal with the ongoing tragedy in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13111/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 286: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the assessment of the situation in Darfur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13452/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 130, 138 and 286 together.

Since the comprehensive peace agreement was signed in Nairobi on 9 January 2005, there has been progress in stabilising the long-running conflict between the north and the south of Sudan. Following a delay due to the accidental death in July 2005 of southern leader and first Vice President, John Garang, a Government of national unity was formed in September 2005 in line with the new constitution. An autonomous regional Government of south Sudan was established on 22 October on the basis of the interim constitution for south Sudan.

Both President Bashir of the National Congress Party and first Vice President, Salva Kiir, on behalf of the south, have expressed their desire to implement the comprehensive peace agreement and, to date, there has been some progress on the implementation of technical and institutional aspects. Also, despite significant administrative and logistical obstacles the Government of south Sudan is gradually establishing itself. However, the Government of national unity needs to be strengthened by the two main coalition partners showing real leadership and working together to address major unresolved issues, including the effective and transparent sharing of oil revenues. On 20 March 2006, the General Affairs and External Relations Council urged the parties to sustain effective and timely implementation of the agreement and reiterated the EU's readiness to continue supporting this process.

The complexity and difficulty of the prevailing situation in south Sudan should not be underestimated. Millions living there continue to depend on humanitarian assistance. Unfortunately violence remains an obstacle to humanitarian work in the region. On 28 March 2006, a UNHCR logistician died as a result of serious wounds suffered in an attack on the agency's compound in Yei which also left one guard dead and another wounded.

Continuing tensions in the east of Sudan are a potentially destabilising factor. On 20 March 2006 the EU expressed concern about these tensions, underscored the need for a genuine, single, transparent, comprehensive and inclusive dialogue to address the situation and urged the Government of Sudan and the eastern front opposition parties rapidly to agree on the modalities for this dialogue.

Since the Darfur crisis began in 2003, Ireland has provided assistance of more than €12.5 million in response to humanitarian needs in the region. At the Oslo international donors' conference on Sudan in April 2005, Ireland pledged support of €15 million to Sudan over the 2005 to 2007 period. Some €9.8 million of this was provided in 2005, including almost €4 million to Darfur. To date in 2006, €1.5 million has been allocated for humanitarian relief in Darfur.

Some 200,000 Sudanese refugees remain in neighbouring Chad and more than 1.7 million persons are still internally displaced within Darfur itself, including 50,000 people who have been forced from their homes since the beginning of this year. Violent acts continue to be carried out by all sides. Security in many parts of Darfur has steadily deteriorated since September 2005, resulting in worsening violence, widespread destruction of crops and livelihoods and serious violations of human rights. This has seriously affected the ability of humanitarian workers to deliver crucial humanitarian relief to the population of Darfur.

In western Sudan, the spillover into Darfur of Chad's internal instability has added a dangerous regional dimension to the crisis. With our partners in the EU, Ireland welcomed the agreement reached on 8 February 2006 between Sudan and Chad which should contribute to a reduction of violence in the Darfur region. Improved border security should contribute to better relations between the two countries. It is clear that only a political solution to the problems of Darfur will lead to a lasting solution to the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Early and successful conclusion of the peace negotiations taking place in Abuja, Nigeria, under the auspices of the AU is absolutely essential. Progress has been slow overall but recently the pace has quickened. In tandem with the recent decision to extend the mandate of the African Union Mission in Sudan, AMIS, the AU has begun a real attempt to bring the parties in Abuja to agreement and set the end of April 2006 as its target date. A first step has been the tabling of an enhanced humanitarian ceasefire proposal by the AU mediator Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim. The EU fully supports the AU's efforts to speed up the Abuja process. With our partners in the EU, we have also underlined the need to establish a clear roadmap for implementation with agreed timetables for action.

All parties to the Abuja negotiations must show their commitment to peace in Darfur by immediately halting all violations of the current ceasefire agreement, especially attacks on AMIS and humanitarian convoys. They must also give their full commitment to the talks and negotiate positively and flexibly. Violations of the UN arms embargo must be stopped. Ireland and the EU support the imposition of sanctions against those blocking the peace process, committing human rights violations, or violating the ceasefire and the arms embargo. I urge the Government of Sudan to co-operate fully with the ongoing investigation by the International Criminal Court of human rights violations in Darfur.

AMIS has been valuable in creating a favourable environment for the political process and in stabilising the security situation. Sudan has stated that it is prepared to accept the deployment of a UN operation in Darfur after and as part of the conclusion of a peace agreement at the Abuja talks. On 10 March 2006 the AU's peace and security commission, PSC, set a framework for transition from AMIS to a UN operation in Darfur. At the same meeting the AU PSC agreed to extend AMIS's mandate until September 2006. This will permit the UN to carry out thorough planning for the transition in co-operation with the AU. The UN Secretary General is to present to the Security Council by 24 April 2006 a range of operations for a UN operation in Darfur. The EU has offered further support to the AMIS mission in the interim, including an additional €50 million from the African Peace Facility, APF. To date the Government and our partners in the EU have fully supported the AU's role in Darfur, both politically and financially. In 2004-05, Ireland contributed €1.5 million to humanitarian, human rights and policing aspects of the AU's AMIS mission.