Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 14: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the situation in Kenya at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16655/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The political and humanitarian situation in Kenya has continued to improve, following the peace deal signed between the government and opposition on 28 February 2008. Under the deal, a coalition government has been established and a new post of Prime Minister created, to which Mr. Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement, has been appointed. Agreement has also been reached between the two sides on the formation of a new cabinet, which was formally sworn in on 17 April 2008.

Minister Ahern visited Kenya from 23-24 April 2008 in order to demonstrate Ireland's support for the reconciliation and reconstruction efforts underway in Kenya. During his visit, which was the first by a senior EU figure since the new cabinet was sworn in, he met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government, the Foreign Minister, and the Minister for Tourism. The Minister also met with Irish and international NGOs working in Kenya, including GOAL, Concern and Trocaire, and visited a number of camps for internally displaced persons in the Rift Valley region, which suffered particularly during the post-election violence. The Minister's main message to all interlocutors was the need for all sides to work together to ensure that the ethnic violence and bloodshed that occurred in the aftermath of the disputed presidential elections does not re-occur.

The Minister also urged the need to address the more long-term issues, such as constitutional reform, land tenure, and corruption, which contributed to the recent crisis. In this regard, full implementation of the 28 February agreement will now be critical, including establishment of Commissions on Truth, Justice and Reconciliation, and Constitutional Reform, which are provided for under the agreement brokered by Kofi Annan. In response to a request from the UN, Ireland was pleased to provide €100,000 in financial support to the Annan mediation talks.

Since the post-election violence, which resulted in an estimated 1,500 deaths and upwards of 600,000 people being displaced, the humanitarian situation in Kenya has improved considerably, with many of those displaced returning to their homes. However, creating the conditions in which all remaining displaced persons will feel confident enough to return home will be a major challenge.

Ireland, for its part, remains a significant humanitarian donor to Kenya, and has committed a total of over €27 million to Kenya since 2006. None of this aid is channelled through the Kenyan Government. This Irish Aid funding includes over €7 million in humanitarian relief for Kenya in response to emergency appeals, and over €19 million for Irish, international and local NGOs, as well as missionaries, working in Kenya. Nationally, and through the EU, we will continue to do all we can to assist Kenya in its recovery efforts.