Norway to close its embassy in Eritrea

Norwegian Embassy - Asmara Eritrea

Norway’s government has said that it is soon to close its embassy in Eritrea and some other countries as part of foreign policy re-planning.

“As announced earlier in 2012, changes are also being made to Norway’s diplomatic presence in Africa. The embassy in Asmara (Eritrea) is to be closed. Another mission in the region will then be given responsibility for Eritrea,” Norway’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“The embassies in Abuja (Nigeria) and Nairobi (Kenya) will be given extra resources in order to strengthen their efforts vis-à-vis Niger and Somalia respectively. In addition, staff levels at some missions in Africa will be reduced in order to free up resources,” officials added.
There are many Eritrean refugees in east African countries. They allege that Norway closing its embassy will leave a big gap.
One refugee in Kenya said, “I’m not happy about Norway closing her embassy in Eritrea because officials working there can get impressions about what the poor people of Eritrea need first-hand and aid can be sent there.”
“Foreign embassies are very vital in Eritrea because the wrong elements in government fear to mistreat people in presence of embassy officials,” claimed another in Uganda. “They try to show the embassies that they observe human rights.”