Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Since the outbreak of hostilities in Sudan in April 2023, Ireland has consistently emphasised the need for an end to the conflict, protection of civilians, maintenance of humanitarian access, and for civil society to be placed at the centre of Sudan’s political future.

As a member of the UN Security Council in 2021/2022, Ireland advocated for the maintenance of the partial arms embargo on Sudan. In June 2023, as the conflict showed no signs of abating, Ireland initiated calls within the EU for use of additional sanctions tools and worked to ensure that a new EU autonomous sanctions framework was adopted in October. It targets those impeding peace efforts, perpetrating civilian harm and obstructing humanitarian access. We continue to condemn any actions which will prolong the conflict, including provision of weapons to either party.

At the Human Rights Council, Ireland has advocated for a ceasefire, an end to attacks on civilians, and protection of humanitarian access. In October, the Council established a Fact Finding Mission, charged with investigating human rights violations in Sudan. Ireland is also working with partners which support human rights defenders and civil society in Sudan, engage in peace mediation and inclusive dialogue, and promote transitional justice.

Over 42% of Sudan’s population – more than 20 million people – are facing hunger. To date in 2023, Ireland has provided over €7 million in assistance to the people of Sudan, including through contributions to the UN Sudan Humanitarian Fund (€4 million) and NGOs such as GOAL, Concern, Plan International and Trócaire. Additional funding has been provided to NGOs working in neighbouring countries hosting Sudanese refugees.

Ireland has provided €25 million this year in core funding to the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP), whose emergency operations in Sudan are providing both food and cash inputs.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is also providing emergency assistance and protection to people affected by the conflict. In March, Ireland signed a new three year agreement with the ICRC committing to a minimum of €10 million in funding annually for 2023-2025.

Ireland also provides annual funding to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), amounting to €12.5 million in 2023. CERF has allocated over $60 million to organisations operating in Sudan in 2023.

Ireland will continue to work with EU and other partners to bring an end to the conflict in Sudan and support a return to the democratic transition so urgently needed.

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has experienced periodic conflict over many decades, with an increase in insecurity and violence in eastern DRC in recent months, ahead of elections due to take place in December 2023. Tensions between the DRC and Rwanda have remained at a high level for several months. Ireland has expressed concern at this escalation in regional tension. The ongoing conflict in eastern DRC is driven by a number of factors, including competing attempts by armed groups to control the rich mineral resources of the region. Ireland has stressed the importance of regional efforts to address this situation.

We worked closely with our EU partners on the development of a new EU strategy for the wider Great Lakes region that was adopted earlier this year, with a particular focus on the eastern provinces of the DRC. We fully support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries in the region and condemn any support to local or foreign armed groups.

Ireland has also emphasised the importance of the engagement of national and regional organisations in promoting peace and stability. We welcome the efforts of the East African Community Heads of State Conclave, including the Nairobi peace process, as well as the contribution by Angola and Kenya to advancing a peaceful resolution. Ireland will continue to highlight the importance of the ongoing implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the region, and encourage implementation of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region Roadmap. We welcome the renewed calls in the region for a ceasefire, including this month by the leaders of the Southern African Development Community.

Almost 27 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in DRC. There are an estimated 6.9 million people internally displaced and over a million refugees from the DRC are in neighbouring countries. Given the instability in the region, the DRC itself hosts more than half a million refugees.

Ireland is directly providing over €8 million this year in response to the situation in DRC. Over €4.6 million has been allocated to long-term development and chronic humanitarian crisis programmes under Ireland’s Civil Society Partnership. Five partners (Christian Aid Ireland, Concern Worldwide, Oxfam Ireland, Trócaire and World Vision Ireland) are operating in DRC. In addition, some €3.8 million of Irish funding to UNICEF to address child malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa is earmarked for DRC.

This year, the EU will provide almost €92 million in humanitarian funding to address the needs of the most vulnerable people in the DRC.