Chairperson: Firstly, the answer is no, South Africa does not interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign states.
Secondly, South Africa issued a statement on 31 January 2011, which reads:
The government of South Africa calls on the government and the people of Egypt to seek a speedy and peaceful resolution to the current crisis. The resolution of this crisis will without doubt pave the way for a new era in Egypt.
The statement attests to South Africa's commitment to human rights and democracy and is in line with the international principle of noninterference in the internal affairs of sovereign states. I thank you. Warships sent into seas of Cte d' Ivoire and use of vessels in election dispute in Cte d' Ivoire
1. Mr R A Lees (DA) asked the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(1) Whether the SA Navy has sent any warships into the seas near to or in the vicinity of Cte d'Ivoire; if so, (a) what are the details of the warships that are involved and (b) what is the purpose of sending these warships;
(2) whether these vessels will be used to intervene in the election dispute that is existing in Cte d'Ivoire; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?