Solberg on election campaign in Africa

Prime Minister Erna Solberg attends the African Union (AU) summit to fight for decisive votes for a Norwegian seat on the UN Security Council.

Following the announcement by Dagens Næringsliv, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs counts the votes of the African countries as crucial to Norway’s winning chance.

“It’s a spur. But it is a lot to remember what you have said before, so you do not forget that you have promised positive support. There are some countries that wisely haven’t said much. But we also have some friends in Africa who talk our case to other countries,” says Solberg to DN.

Norway is fighting Ireland and Canada for one of two vacant seats in the UN Security Council for the period 2021-22. The African countries make up 28 per cent of the UN General Assembly and are thus the largest voting bloc during the election.

This is the second year in a row that Solberg has attended the AU meeting. During this year’s meeting in Ethiopia, she is getting competition for attention from Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Solberg calls Canada a great and demanding challenger.

“Our most important card is that we have been consistent. Canada has been on and off the international agenda with various governments, and they may not have contributed so much in the international arenas until now,” she says.

© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today