Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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86. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the new package of EU sanctions for Sudan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29777/24]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Government remains deeply concerned about the situation in Sudan. Since the outbreak of conflict in April 2023, widespread attacks on civilians, appalling gender-based violence, and attacks on humanitarian workers and infrastructure have displaced over 12 million people, including 2 million as refugees outside the country.

There have been repeated warnings from the UN Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide that the ‘risk factors for genocide and related crimes are present and increasing’.

The conditions of conflict and the deliberate blocking of humanitarian access by both the parties to the conflict are creating a humanitarian disaster. Last month, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned that famine was imminent, with over 2 million people currently at severe risk.

In response to the crisis, Ireland has increased our support to Sudan. At the international conference on Sudan in Paris in April, I pledged €12.3 million in bilateral aid for 2024. This assistance is being delivered, and is in addition to our core funding to key partners in Sudan, such as the World Food Programme.

We are also supporting efforts to bring the conflict to an end.

In EU discussions and at the UN, Ireland has consistently emphasised the need to put civilians and civil society, rather than military factions, at the centre of any political solution in Sudan. In line with this, we are supporting partners to bolster the capacity of Sudanese civil society to work together to bring an end the conflict and design a return to democratic transition.

Last year, Ireland championed the establishment of a new EU autonomous sanctions regime for Sudan which targets those who undermine peace, obstruct the delivery of humanitarian assistance, or commit violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. In January, six companies affiliated with both the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) were the subject of targeted asset freezes and travel restrictions. On 24 June, at the Foreign Affairs Council, the EU endorsed an additional package of measures against six individuals on both sides of the conflict, including those with particular responsibility for committing atrocities and financing the conflict.

The EU will continue to review its autonomous measures and take action against persons or entities fuelling the conflict.