Written answers

Wednesday, 22 February 2017

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Foreign Conflicts

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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161. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the situation in South Sudan remains under observation by the European Union with a view to making positive impact to protect civilians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9003/17]

Photo of Joe McHughJoe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I am extremely concerned about the political, economic and humanitarian situation in South Sudan, particularly in light of the declaration of famine this week in parts of the country. The United Nations has estimated that 100,000 South Sudanese people are already facing starvation, with a further one million on the brink of famine. Following the resumption of the civil war in July 2016, the country is in a deep and profound crisis. The UN estimates that 7.5 million South Sudanese people will require humanitarian assistance in 2017. Humanitarian assistance is being delivered but it is being impeded by the difficult security situation and attacks on humanitarian workers.

Ireland and our EU partners share the deep concern about the situation in South Sudan. The Foreign Affairs Council adopted Conclusions on 12 December strongly condemning the outbreak of violence, and calling for measures to protect civilians in South Sudan. The EU called on all parties to observe an immediate ceasefire and to end violations of human rights law. It called on the Transitional Government to uphold its responsibility to protect civilians. The Council Conclusions emphasised that the EU would continue to enforce the arms embargo on South Sudan, and urged the United Nations Security Council to impose a UN arms embargo. The EU has also agreed to impose further autonomous restrictive measures against any individual who obstructs the peace process, prevents the exercise of humanitarian duties or incites, orders or commits atrocities against civilians. The Conclusions called for the establishment of the Hybrid Court, so that anyone who commits criminal acts of violence in breach of South Sudanese or international law, would be held accountable before a court.

The European Commission has provided over €381 million to respond to the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan since fighting broke out in December 2013. Ireland is also playing its part bilaterally, having provided over €46 million in humanitarian and development funding since December 2013 to respond to needs in South Sudan and among refugees in neighbouring countries. I met with Southern Sudanese refugees who had just fled their homes during my visit to Northern Uganda last July.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely, with our EU partners and through our Embassy in Addis Ababa, which is accredited to South Sudan, and our Embassies in Kampala and Nairobi.

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