In a shocking incident, an Irishman serving as the European Union’s ambassador to Sudan has been assaulted. The chief diplomat has confirmed the disturbing news and expressed his concern over the safety and security of diplomats in the country. The assault raises questions about the safety of foreign diplomats and their staff in Sudan, and highlights the challenges faced by ambassadors in their mission to keep peace and order in the conflict-affected regions of the world. Details of the incident are still emerging, but it is clear that the Irish ambassador was attacked, making it a serious matter for the EU and the international community.
The European Union’s ambassador to Sudan was assaulted at his residence in Khartoum, in what became a gross violation of the Vienna Convention. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, announced on Monday evening that the ambassador, Aidan O’Hara, was assaulted in his own residency, and that the incident constituted a gross violation of the Vienna Convention. The security of diplomatic premises and staff is a primary obligation under international law, and the Sudanese authorities bear a primary responsibility to maintain it.
Although no further details were given about the assault, a spokeswoman for the EU confirmed that Aidan O’Hara was unharmed after the incident. EU personnel safety became a priority, but the delegation was not evacuated while assessing their safety status. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, commented that he was deeply concerned about the assault and that it was a gross violation of obligations to protect diplomats under the Vienna Convention. He thanked Aidan O’Hara, an outstanding Irish and European diplomat, for his service and called for an urgent cessation of violence in Sudan and the resumption of dialogue.
The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that it contacted Mr. O’Hara on the evening of the assault. Fighting between military factions had been continuing for several days, resulting in the deaths of more than 200 people and injuries to around 2,000 people.
Aidan O’Hara is a 58-year-old graduate of Trinity College and the Kings Inns who served as Ireland’s ambassador to Ethiopia before his appointment as the EU ambassador to Sudan. Mr. O’Hara’s assault has once again brought to the spotlight the security risks that EU staff and diplomats face in different parts of the world. This incident serves as a reminder that the protection of diplomatic premises and staff is paramount and that the countries hosting the diplomats bear the primary responsibility to maintain security.
The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, among other things, provides for the inviolability of diplomatic agents and their residences, which means that “the receiving state shall treat him with due respect and shall take all appropriate steps to prevent any attack on his person, freedom or dignity.” The conventions underscore that diplomatic agents enjoy immunity from criminal jurisdiction for actions performed in the exercise of their functions, except in cases that relate to road traffic accidents.
The assault comes at a time when the EU is increasing its engagement in the region by setting up a Task Force for the Horn of Africa to address the conflict, violent extremism, human trafficking, and migration issues. The EU is also planning to reopen its delegation in Sudan to boost the economic development, peace, and stability in the country.
The incident shows the precarious situation facing diplomats stationed overseas, and the danger they face in discharging their duties. The EU, like other organizations, has been seeking to deepen partnerships with African countries by increasing its presence in the continent, engaging in peace-building efforts, and promoting development through trade and investment. However, these efforts sometimes face significant security challenges, such as the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
In conclusion, the assault on the EU’s Ambassador to Sudan, Aidan O’Hara, is a gross violation of the Vienna Convention and underscores the security risks that diplomats face in various parts of the world. As a reminder, the receiving state bears the primary responsibility to provide security to diplomatic agents and their residences. International institutions must ensure they put in place adequate measures to safeguard their staff and premises to ensure the smooth running of their operations.
