Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, to win a seat in the United Nations Security Council. In Addis Ababa, Trudeau will attend the African Union meeting, which will determine if Canada will win a seat in the Security Council.
Trudeau is the first Canadian Prime Minister ever to attend the African Union meeting.
Africa has 54 out of the 193 votes needed to decide who will win a non-permanent seat in the Security Council. Canada is running against Norway and Ireland to win 2 non-permanent seats in the Security Council that will both last 2 years.
In Ethiopia, Trudeau will meet directly with a handful of the 54 African leaders to discuss how their votes at the UN Security Council election will determine if Canada or another country will win a seat in the Security Council and the importance of Canada winning a seat.
Three of Trudeau’s cabinet ministers are travelling with him. Trudeau invited Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri to join him on his trip as well. Before Trudeau invited Ujiri to join him, Ujiri had planned to go to Africa to promote his foundation, Giants Of Africa. Giants of Africa is a foundation that uses basketball to educate and connect with African youth.
Trudeau has been to Africa 3 times as Prime Minister before, but this is his first time in Ethiopia and the city of Addis Ababa. Trudeau had planned to go to the African Union meeting in 2019 but was unable to due to certain complications.
In 2010 Canada tried to win a seat in the Security Council but failed to do so. To win a seat in the UN Security Council, Canada may have to change its position in reforming the council it seeks to join.
Image credits: Judicieux
Betty Knight blog 