Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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395. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community continues to be aware, and combat the abuse, of women and children at various locations globally; the extent to which the Boko Haram and Al Shabaab continue to be monitored and addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4190/21]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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396. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community continues to make efforts to combat the kidnapping of women and children throughout Africa and other locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4191/21]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 395 and 396 together.

Ireland strongly condemns the violence and terror perpetrated by Boko Haram and Al Shabaab, including kidnapping of, and violence against, women and children. Ireland supports the EU, UN and other international efforts to reduce the influence of Boko Haram and Al Shabaab and to prevent their attacks, especially against civilians. Ireland continues to monitor the activities of these groups and to assist populations affected by their actions.

Ending gender based violence is a core commitment of Ireland’s development and humanitarian programmes. It is a central component of Ireland’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, which commits to upholding UN Special resolution 1325, reaffirming the important role of women in prevention and resolution of conflicts, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction. Ireland will use its seat on the UN Security Council to ensure that the protection of women is at heart of approaches to conflict prevention and resolution, as well as humanitarian response.

The UN is active in the Lake Chad Basin areas affected by Boko Haram, through its Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and the UN Peacebuilding Commission. Ireland is penholder together with Niger on UNOWAS at the UN Security Council, working to ensure that UNOWAS has a clear strategic direction in its work of conflict prevention and peacebuilding in West Africa.

The UN-mandated African Union-led peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM) supports the Federal Government of Somalia in its efforts to combat Al Shabaab. Ireland is Chair of the Somalia Sanctions Committee at the UN Security Council. That Committee oversees an arms embargo and other tools available to the international community in support of a more peaceful and secure Somalia, including engagement with Al Shabaab. This complements Ireland’s role as an EU Member State supporting Somalia, including the strengthening of its government institutions. The EU provides significant development funding in Somalia, and in the countries affected by Boko Haram.

The EU Council Conclusions of June 2020 reaffirm the EU’s commitment to tackling terrorism across Africa, particularly in the Sahel and Horn of Africa. The EU has three Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions in the Horn of Africa. A number of Irish nationals are deployed to EUCAP Somalia, including the current Head of Mission. In the Sahel,Ireland currently has 20 Defence Forces personnel participating in EUTM Mali. Ireland also deploys one expert to the EUCAP Sahel Niger. 13 Defence Forces personnel are deployed in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). Ireland’s participation in these missions allows us to contribute to international peace and security, protect human rights, and support conditions for sustainable development in the region.

Ireland also works bilaterally to promote peace and security in areas affected by armed groups. Ireland places a strong emphasis on tackling the poverty, hunger and exclusion which can contribute to radicalisation, including through Ireland’s membership of the International Support Group of the Regional Stabilisation Strategy for the Lake Chad Basin (ISG), and observer status at the Sahel Alliance. Both groups offer international partners a forum to coordinate support in addressing the challenges in Boko Haram-affected areas of the Lake Chad Basin.

In addition, Ireland works with partners to respond to humanitarian need in regions affected by conflict. Ireland has provided €27 million in humanitarian funding to the Lake Chad region since 2015. Ireland’s Embassy in Abuja also contributes funding for those displaced by conflict in North-East Nigeria through its Humanitarian Fund. Ireland has also been a consistent supporter of the humanitarian response in Somalia, providing over €51 million in humanitarian assistance since 2012, including to communities displaced by conflict in Al Shabaab-held areas. With humanitarian needs in these regions likely to remain acute, Irish funding will continue to target those most in need.