Written answers

Tuesday, 6 July 2010

Department of Foreign Affairs

Foreign Conflicts

10:00 am

Photo of Paul Connaughton  SnrPaul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the recent upsurge in clashes in Sudan which has led to the deaths of three UN peacekeepers in the Darfur region recently; the steps being taken at international level to deal with this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29587/10]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The security situation in the Darfur region of Sudan, where the UN estimates that seven years of conflict have resulted in the deaths of over 300,000 and the displacement of nearly three million, is of grave concern. The persistence of sporadic violence in the region is not only affecting the population but is also directly targeting the humanitarian community. The United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) has come under attack on several occasions in recent weeks and the UN has warned that the killing of peacekeepers, repeated kidnappings of humanitarian staff, as well as vehicle hijackings and banditry, are seriously impeding the overall humanitarian access. The most recent incident took place on Monday 19 June, resulting in the deaths of three Rwandan peacekeepers and bringing to 27 the number of UNAMID members killed in Darfur since the force was deployed there in January 2008.

Progress on the political front in Darfur is crucial to seeing some improvement in the security situation. The Doha peace process is the focal point for international efforts to bring an end to the conflict in Darfur. The negotiations are being led by the joint AU-UN chief mediator, Djibril Bassole, whose work Ireland fully supports. Unfortunately, after some welcome progress earlier in the year, the Doha process suffered a serious setback in May when the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), one of Darfur's biggest rebel groups, withdrew from the negotiations.

The AU-UN chief mediator, Bassole, has sought in recent weeks to persuade the main parties back to the negotiating table. JEM has publicly announced a number of requirements before any return to the talks. While the Government of Sudan continues its negotiations with the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) umbrella group of rebels, it is doubtful that this group has enough numbers of combatants in south Darfur to result in substantial security gains on the ground. Meanwhile, the Sudanese Liberation Army/ Abdul Wahid faction (SLA/AW) continues to refuse to participate in the Doha peace process or any other consultative process. The Government of Sudan now seems to be applying a two-pronged approach by trying to weaken militarily JEM and SLA/AW, while negotiating politically with LJM.

The security situation in Darfur is further exacerbated by the fact that those responsible for the violence appear free to operate in the area with impunity. This problem has been raised frequently by the UN Secretary General in his reports on Darfur. It has also been highlighted in the report last year of the AU High Level Panel led by former South African President Thabo Mbeki and by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Louis Moreno Ocampo, most recently in his statement last month to the UN Security Council. In this regard, Ireland urges the Government of Sudan to fulfil its international obligations and cooperate in full with the International Criminal Court.

Ireland, with its EU partners, will continue to support the ongoing efforts of the AU-UN chief mediator to achieve progress in the Doha talks. We also welcome the commitment of other regional and international stakeholders to securing peace in Darfur. At the same time, we believe that it is essential that a unified and coherent international approach is taken. This approach will continue to inform EU policy on Darfur. Ireland will also continue through its humanitarian aid programme in the region, which totalled almost €3.5 million since 2008, to provide assistance to the large numbers of people displaced by the conflict.

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