LAST UPDATE | 16 Jul

TÁNAISTE AND MINISTER for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin is in the Horn of Africa today for a four day visit to Kenya and Ethiopia. 

This afternoon, he announced the launch of a €15m three year initiative aimed at combatting child hunger in the cross-border Mandera Triangle region of Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia.

The Initiative is being led by Concern Worldwide in cooperation with a consortium of NGOs in the region as well as local and national authorities.

Earlier today, the Tánaiste met with Kenya’s President William Ruto in Nairobi. 

In recent weeks, Ruto has been responding to growing cost-of-living protests against an unpopular and controversial tax bill. In response to the protests, in which at least 39 people were killed, Ruto axed the bill. 

Speaking to reporters this morning ahead of the meeting, when asked by The Journal if he planned to raise human rights concerns with the president, the Tánaiste said he would be. 

He said they would be discussing the domestic issue in Kenya and that he would be “stressing the importance of dialogue and partnership.”

“I’m not going to get involved in the internal situation. But more broadly, I think we, from our own experiences and from the experiences of others, we will discuss these issues,” he said. 

The Tánaiste also said he was looking forward to discussing climate change issues with Ruto. 

Micheál Martin on discussions during his meeting with Kenya’s President Ruto earlier today.

Earlier, the Tánaiste said he would be raising human rights concerns with the President in the face of ongoing protests. He said Ruto was receptive to the comments.@thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/GHd1U3HkwX

— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) July 16, 2024

Speaking after the meeting, the Tánaiste said: “Ireland is proud of its long history of partnership with Kenya on a wide range of areas from education to climate action, in agriculture innovation and in sustainable development.

“Ireland deeply values Kenya’s leadership on critical issues of peace and security, including its championing of multilateral efforts to resolve ongoing conflicts and crises in the region.”

More broadly, the Tánaiste’s trip to the Horn of Africa will focus on the impact of Ireland’s development assistance programme and growing trade links with Kenya and Ethiopia.

While in Kenya, the Tánaiste will also meet with students taking part in Young Scientist Kenya, a programme supported by Ireland to encourage STEM education.

Following this he will officiate at the regional launch of Ireland’s Horn of Africa Child Wasting Programme, which covers Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia.

On Wednesday the Tánaiste will take part in a number of trade, development and Irish community events before travelling to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.

While there he will meet with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and a number of development partners.

He will also host a reception to mark 30 years of Ireland’s diplomatic presence in Ethiopia.

Speaking ahead of the visit, the Tánaiste said he looks forward to meeting both President Ruto and Prime Minister Ahmed and to discussing a range of issues including regional security and global crises, including conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan.

“This is a significant visit to strengthen Ireland’s economic, political and development ties with two important African countries. It is important that Ireland and Europe continue to strengthen our engagement and links across Africa,” he said.

The Tánaiste added that Ireland’s Africa Strategy highlights our commitment to building political, trade, cultural and people-to-people links across the continent and that this visit is an important component of that ongoing work.

“Ireland has a proud legacy in the Horn of Africa and that continues through the work of the Irish Aid programme and our NGO partners operating in the region. While the impact of climate change and conflict is threatening the lives and livelihoods of many people in the region, there are also critical opportunities to build peace and bolster innovation and development.

“I look forward to meeting with political, humanitarian and development partners to discuss how Ireland can continue to contribute to this. I also look forward also to meeting with members of the Irish community who continue to play an important role in both countries,” he added.