Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 205: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he and his EU or UN colleagues have initiated proposals to address the issues in the Horn of Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4562/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The situation in the Horn of Africa is a high priority for Ireland, the EU and the United Nations. The problems of the region include the ongoing conflicts in Darfur and Somalia; a prolonged stalemate in the Ethiopia-Eritrea peace process; the need to rebuild southern Sudan following decades of civil war; and challenges relating to development, including recurrent food security problems. These issues are being addressed through a combination of political initiatives, peace-keeping operations, and emergency, humanitarian and development assistance.

The UN Security Council regularly discusses Horn of Africa issues, while the new UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, has described the crisis in Darfur as his top priority. Currently, the UN has two peace-keeping operations in the Horn of Africa — the UN Mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea, UNMEE, and the UN Mission in Sudan, UNMIS. UNMEE monitors the ceasefire agreement between Ethiopia and Eritrea. UNMIS is supporting implementation of the 2005 North/South Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army, and since August 2006 it is also mandated to support implementation of the May 2006 Darfur Peace Agreement . In addition, the UN has agreed to strengthen the African Union's ceasefire observation mission in Darfur, AMIS. A fact finding mission from the UN Human Rights Council will visit Darfur during February 2007.

The UN Secretary General has several representatives dealing specifically with the Horn of Africa, including a Special Humanitarian Envoy for the Horn of Africa, a Special Representative for Somalia and a Special Envoy for Darfur. Appointment of Special Representatives for Sudan, and Ethiopia/Eritrea is pending. The UN and African Union Special Envoys for Darfur will travel to Sudan in mid- February 2007 to promote the revitalisation of the Darfur peace process.

EU Foreign Ministers discussed Sudan and Somalia on 22 January 2007 and will do so again on 12-13 February. The EU actively supports the restoration of peace and stability in Somalia and is one of the Witnesses of the 2000 Algiers Peace Agreement between Ethiopia and Eritrea. An EU Special Envoy for Sudan, Mr Pekka Haavisto, was appointed in July 2005. Most of the EU's €250 million African Peace Facility, APF, has been used to support the African Union Mission in Sudan, AMIS. €15 million will be provided for the African Union's peace support operation in Somalia, AMISOM.

The European Commission's October 2006 Communication on 'EU partnership for peace, security and development in the Horn of Africa,' sets out a comprehensive approach to conflict prevention in the region. In 2004, the last year for which complete figures are available, total European Commission development aid to the six Horn of Africa countries amounted to more than €240 million. Ethiopia is the largest beneficiary of EC development assistance and more than €2.3 billion has been allocated to the country since 1975.

In addition to participating fully in EU initiatives to support peace, security and development in the Horn of Africa, Ireland supports the development of the region through our bilateral aid programme. Ethiopia is one of Irish Aid's priority countries, and in 2006 Irish bilateral aid to Ethiopia amounted to approximately €30 million. This is expected to increase to approximately €32m in 2007. Ireland's support to Ethiopia is focused on addressing the needs of the rural poor. Total Irish Aid emergency, humanitarian and NGO funding to Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea and Kenya since 2004 amounts to over €86 million.