A Review of Irish Development Assistance to Sudan : 1974 to 1998

Ireland began providing assistance to Sudan during the 1970s when modernization theory was at the height of its influence; Ireland's bilateral aid program continued in operation in Sudan throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including, significantly, for a period when other western donors (including EU partners) at ceased bilateral aid because of the application of human rights related conditionality. This review traces developments in Ireland Sudan program from an initial (and somewhat unsuccessful) focus on modernization, to a renewed focus on basic needs. It reviews the decision to finally close the program in the light of Ireland's exceptional stance in keeping it open for so many years and considers the implications of this closure for Ireland's foreign policy generally and for its future relations with Sudan