Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2024
139. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which the international community continues to monitor the activities of Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab with reference to the areas they continue to be most active; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11508/24]
View answerIreland strongly condemns the violence perpetrated by Boko Haram and AlS habaab. We support European Union (EU), United Nations (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.
Since 2015, we have provided over €37 million in bilateral assistance for the Lake Chad region, where Boko Haram is active. This includes funding to Concern Worldwide, Goal, and Plan International Ireland, as well as to the International Committee of the Red Cross. In 2023, Ireland’s funding included €1 million for the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund, which provides assistance to communities affected by the conflict in the north east of the country.
Ireland is also contributing directly to peace and security efforts, as a member of the International Support Group of the Regional Stabilisation Strategy for the Lake Chad Basin, and at the Sahel Alliance. Both are forums which enable donors to coordinate support in addressing the challenges in Boko Haram-affected areas of the Lake Chad Basin.
Ireland continues to engage on Somalia, where Al Shabaab is active. Since 2018, we have provided over €40 million in humanitarian funding to Somalia, including over €6 million in 2023, primarily through UN partners and Irish non-governmental organisations on the ground. In the same period we provided over €7.4 million to development partners working on community resilience and peace and stability. Ireland also deploys personnel to EUCAP Somalia, one of the three EU Common Security and Defence Policy Missions in the Horn of Africa.
