Written answers

Tuesday, 7 October 2025

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Foreign Conflicts

Photo of Donnchadh Ó LaoghaireDonnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)
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23. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether he is aware of breaches of the arms embargo to Sudan; if he has communicated with any governments suspected of breaking the arms embargo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53804/25]

Photo of Neale RichmondNeale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I remain deeply concerned by the devastating situation in Sudan. More than two years of conflict have resulted in the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with more than 150,000 people already dead and some 12 million people forcibly displaced.

We are gravely concerned by reports that arms continue to reach parties to the conflict in Sudan despite existing UN and EU embargoes and sanctions. Along with our EU and other like-minded partners, we have called on all external actors that are directly or indirectly supplying arms and funds to the belligerents to cease their support immediately.

Specific allegations of embargo and sanction violations are pursued through the appropriate multilateral fora, including the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, and the relevant UN Sanctions Committees. Through these channels, Ireland continues to call on all parties to comply fully with their obligations and to refrain from any action that could fuel further violence.

Ireland initiated discussions on EU sanctions in 2023, which led to the establishment and implementation of EU sanctions targeting both parties to the conflict and their backers. Ireland also proposed EU Council Conclusions on Sudan in October 2024, which condemned indiscriminate and direct targeting of civilians, called on parties to abide by their obligations under international law, and called for an immediate ceasefire and sustainable resolution of the conflict through dialogue.

In 2025, Ireland has committed €14.3 million to UN Agencies, Irish and International NGO partners for the Sudan crisis. €10.3 million is committed to support humanitarian work in Sudan and €4 million to support the humanitarian response for displaced populations in neighbouring countries.

The conflict in Sudan is a human catastrophe that risks wider stability in the region. Ireland will continue to work to keep Sudan on the international agenda and stands ready to lend its support to mediation and other efforts aimed at ending the conflict and urgent progress on the needed democratic transition.

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