Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 271: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in regard to each of the African countries currently deemed vulnerable in terms of human rights abuses, war or famine, ethnic cleansing and genocide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38703/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The terrible events in the Democratic Republic of Congo in recent weeks, as well as the ongoing situations in Somalia, Darfur and Zimbabwe, serve to remind us that combating both the causes and effects of war, instability, poor governance and hunger in Africa is one of the most important tasks facing the international community in the 21st century.

Conflict has many causes and many manifestations, but poverty and inequality have proved to be the most fertile breeding grounds for violence and instability. Most armed conflicts occur in poor countries, and the causes and effect of conflict are exacerbated by poverty and corruption. The risk of strife, famine and unpunished abuses of human rights is greater where political, economic and administrative systems are weak, and Ireland's development co-operation programme focuses on all of these risks. Irish Aid supports specific actions designed to promote political stability, including by strengthening government systems and combating inequality. Irish Aid has a specific focus on governance, including the protection of human rights, in several programme countries. In our dialogue with partners in the EU and the UN, Ireland is a strong advocate for the developing world and for international peace and security.

The Government established a Hunger Task Force in 2007, with the aim of identifying the particular contribution that Ireland could make to tackle the root causes of food insecurity, particularly in Africa. The Report of the Hunger Task Force, which was presented at the UN in New York in September 2008, highlighted the continued threat posed by hunger, and made several very concrete recommendations on how this threat can be dealt with.

Promoting stability and supporting progress towards peace in Africa requires a huge international effort. UN-authorised peacekeeping missions have a major role in stabilising former and current conflict zones throughout Africa, not least the current EU-led military mission to Chad and the Central African Republic, EUFOR Tchad/RCA, in which the Irish contingent is playing a prominent role. Ireland has a strong tradition of contributing to UN-mandated peace-support missions in Africa. We have also provided support to the UN's Peace Building Fund and have been strongly supportive of the establishment of the Peace Building Commission.

African leadership and responsibility are crucial in addressing the issues of hunger, war and instability, and the African Union represents an important strategic partner for the European Union. Since 2004, the EU has supported the development of African-led peacekeeping in Darfur and elsewhere through its African Peace Facility. Peace, security, good governance and development were among the themes discussed by European and African leaders at the EU-Africa Summit in December 2007, which agreed a comprehensive EU-Africa Strategy to address these and other common challenges.

The challenges facing Africa are enormous. But there is some encouraging news. Many African economies are growing. The work of the International Criminal Court, which Ireland strongly supports, marks a real effort to end impunity for war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. While there are tragic exceptions, notably those I have already mentioned, many African countries now have less violence and civil strife than has been the case for many years. There is relative peace in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Angola, northern Uganda and southern Sudan, although international engagement will be needed for some time. Through our aid programme, Ireland will continue to address issues of poverty, conflict and instability, and to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of many.