The Faculty hosted the lecture in partnership with The Department of International Relations and Cooperation.The visit by the Foreign Minister is historic in that it is the first official visit of a Somali Foreign Minister to South Africa and will mark the formalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Somalia has been embroiled in conflict for over two decades and the current Transitional Federal Government will reach the end of its mandate in August 2012. The next few months are critical to the resolution of the conflict in Somalia and bringing Somalia to constitutional normalcy and stability. South Africa envisages a strong role in supporting peace and development in Somalia.
The lecture was attended by many UJ academics as well as students.
