Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The motion reads:
That pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development call on senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to provide the Committee with a comprehensive and detailed briefing on the Government's current strategy and involvement in the Horn of Africa, specifically Somalia.
As you know, Mr. Chairman, colleagues, the transitional federal government of Somalia is facing significant challenges. Obviously, if we're talking about failed states, as we have in the past, this is certainly one. The issues obviously of extremism, warlordism, etc., are there, and responding to a number of colleagues who have approached me with regard to this issue, I thought it would be appropriate—and I'm not asking to take up more than one session—to certainly get us up to speed on the situation. Of course, we have also a large diaspora in Canada. There have also been requests that we, at least, as members of the foreign affairs committee, be brought up to speed as to the current situation.