Deputy Speaker, as I was saying before I was rudely interrupted ... [Laughter.] The answer to point number one is that, in our capacity as the non-permanent member of the Security Council for the next two years, and as the President of the United Nations Security Council for the month of March 2007 and our membership of the AU, South Africa will continue to support the efforts of the UN, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in bringing about peace in Somalia.
South Africa supports the national reconciliation process in Somalia and is committed to assisting Somalia to assist the Somalia Transitional Federal Government to ensure that the national reconciliation process is all- inclusive and incorporates all relevant role-players, including civil society, clan elders, elements of the Islamic Conference and the warlords.
The situation in Somalia is very volatile and violence is increasing. The United Nations Security Council has just passed a resolution sanctioning the dispatch of African Union forces to Somalia. We are now in the process, through the African Union, to try to get the 8 000 African troops to go to Somalia.
Regarding part two of the question, South Africa, through the AU, remains committed to ensuring the involvement of all the role-players in the peace process. We believe that all role-players who are committed to negotiations and who are prepared to seek a peaceful solution to the conflict in the state should be part of the process.
The interim Prime Minister of Somalia, Ali Ghedi, has recently agreed to hold talks with all the relevant parties in the peace process, including the leadership and members of the United Islamic Courts. This is also the position of the African Union and the Security Council.
With regard to part three of the question, America's current intervention in Somalia is, lastly, in contact with multilateral efforts. Currently, these efforts are being exercised through its membership of the United Nations Security Council, the role it plays in the international contact group on Somalia and through the funding of the AU mission in Somalia's peacekeeping force.
To this extent, the involvement is constructive. Furthermore, it is our understanding that the US is in support of the inclusive political dialogue, consistent with the earlier statements I have made.