Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 788: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the role which he is taking at international level to support a resolution of a dispute between Kenya, Sudan and Ethiopia over the Ilemi Triangle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31388/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The question of the demarcation of borders of the Ilemi Triangle between Kenya, Sudan and Ethiopia has been ongoing for over one hundred years. The problem has its origin in the ambiguity in the wording of colonial-era treaties. The treaties sought to allow for free movements of Turkana nomadic herders within the region. Despite several attempts over the years to negotiate a resolution, there has been no universal agreement on demarcation of the borders.

The dispute has been prolonged because jurisdiction is all the more difficult to resolve where nomadic and pastoral lifestyles dominate. The general instability in the Horn of Africa region as a whole has tended to obscure this issue; the loss of life and large-scale displacement of millions of people in more high profile conflicts in the region have deflected attention from it. Currently Kenya has de facto control over part of the region but much of it is not administered by any state. There are at present no initiatives from any of the countries directly involved or from any international organisation to negotiate a resolution in relation to the dispute. In all the circumstances it would not be appropriate for Ireland to raise the matter at this time.