Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the situation in Darfur is being resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25475/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which the situation in the Sudan is being monitored by the international community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25479/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 165 together.

On 5 May 2006 the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA), negotiated under the auspices of the African Union with active support from the EU, UN and US, was signed by the Government of Sudan and Minni Minnawi, leader of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) faction with the largest number of fighters on the ground. However, the heads of the Justice and Equality (JEM) rebel group and the Abdelwahid El-Nur SLA faction refused to sign. Despite this, on 8 June thirty representatives from these two groupings signed a declaration of commitment to the DPA.

On 13 June one of the first steps in the implementation of the DPA was taken when the Darfur Ceasefire Commission (CFC) was established at the African Union Monitoring Mission in Sudan (AMIS) Force Headquarter in El Fasher. The CFC is responsible under the DPA for the implementation and monitoring of its ceasefire provisions and of other previous ceasefire agreements. Members of the SLA/Abdelwahid and JEM who are bound by previous ceasefire agreements also attended and pledged their support for peace in Darfur.

Since full and rapid implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement is a precondition for lasting peace and security in Darfur and an end to the suffering of millions of its people, I call on all parties to fulfil their commitments. In particular, I would be glad to see the early convening of the Darfur-Darfur Dialogue and Consultation process. I understand that the African Union is involved in consultations regarding the nomination of a prominent African to chair the process and would urge that this be finalised quickly. It is imperative that the population of Darfur be given the opportunity to engage in a process of reconciliation and to take ownership of the Peace Agreement. It is also essential that the Sudan Government fulfils its commitment to disarm the Janjaweed.

The international community, particularly the EU, has been actively involved in securing a resolution to the crisis in Darfur. The EU Special Representative for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, participated actively in the negotiations in Abuja which led to the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement and subsequently tried hard to bring Abdelwahid El-Nur and his faction on board. Ireland fully supports the Conclusions adopted on Sudan by the General Affairs and External Relations Council at its meetings in May and June 2006 and the Declaration adopted by the European Council on 16 June. The matter has, of course, been a priority on the agenda of the African Union (AU) for some time. The UN Security Council has adopted numerous resolutions on the situation in Sudan and a delegation from the Security Council visited Sudan on 6-8 June. They held talks with President Bashir and visited the Darfur region. They also went to South Sudan where they met with the autonomous regional government. Implementation of the January 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement for Southern Sudan is closely followed by the UN Special Representative for Sudan, Mr. Jan Pronk.

On 22 June, a Technical Assessment Mission jointly led by the UN and the African Union (AU) concluded a two-week mission in Sudan. At the request of the UN Security Council, they carried out an evaluation of requirements for transition to a UN mission and reported to the Council on 27 June. The Mission indicated that, while the situation in Darfur remains very fragile, the Darfur Peace Agreement presents an opportunity which must be seized. The Mission recommended that, because of the fragile situation, a substantial UN force should be in place in Darfur by January 2007. A solid military presence in Western Darfur could also address the issue of cross -border incursions from Chad. Since a UN mission cannot be fielded without the consent of the Government of Sudan, the UN Secretary-General will discuss this matter with the President of Sudan at a meeting sponsored by the African Union on 1 July in an effort to overcome current Sudanese objections.

I will travel to Sudan from 2-5 July. I will meet with representatives of the Government of Sudan as well as with representatives of the UN in Sudan. I will also visit the Darfur region and see for myself the situation on the ground in the internally displaced persons camps.