Hon Chairperson, the answer is yes, South Africa does recognise Somalia as a sovereign state. Somalia has, for the past two decades, been plagued by internal strife that has resulted in a most unusual state of affairs, which has not been conducive to the creation of stable and effective governance.
In spite of all those extreme challenges, though, Somalia still remains a full member of the United Nations, UN, and the African Union, AU. As such, the country continues to enjoy the full rights and duties accorded to sovereign states under international law. The SA High Commission in Kenya is therefore the focal point for all interaction between South Africa and Somalia.
The question regarding the status of Somali refugees entering South Africa and their protection in this country is a matter that falls within the area of jurisdiction of the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in co-ordination with the South African Minister of Home Affairs.
The answer to the second part to that question is yes, there are official exchanges between our government and the transitional federal government at a senior level. The latter is internationally recognised. A visit to South Africa by the Somali Minister of foreign affairs is planned and it is expected that the agreement will be signed during that visit.
South Africa is also of the opinion that a political solution is the only option for resolving the situation in the country and continues to engage all stakeholders who still remain outside of the peace process, in order for them to participate in the talks to ensure an inclusive Somali-owned process and solution. Consequently, South Africa is in the process of exploring ways to assist in capacity-building activities for key Somali Ministries. This includes assistance in the areas of governance, the judiciary, peace-building and constitutional building.
The Minister of International Relations and Co-operation attended an international conference on Somalia hosted by the United Kingdom, on 23 February 2012. The gathering afforded South Africa an opportunity to reiterate its position and call for an inclusive Somali-owned peace process.
At this point I can also thank the South African society, both the public and the private sectors. This includes civil society, large NGOs, and community-based organisations who, in the past year, have been actively involved in the humanitarian situation in that country, and offered logistical support to efforts by the Southern African Development Community, SADC, countries aimed at combating the crisis in Mogadishu and other parts of Somalia. In fact, South Africa, through its patriotic responsibility, collectively contributed no less than R60 million. Thank you.