Ethiopian PM honoured

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has been awarded this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.

Berit Reiss-andersen, chairwoman of the five-member Norwegian Nobel Institute that awards the prize, said Mr Ahmed was recognised for his efforts to achieve peace and international co-operation, and in particular “for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea”.

She said Mr Ahmed, 43, has initiated important reforms that give many citizens in his country “hope for a better life and a brighter future”.

His efforts deserve recognition, she said, and it is hoped the awarding of the peace prize will strengthen Mr Ahmed’s position “in his important work for peace and reconciliation”.

The office of Mr Ahmed celebrated his win with a plea for “all Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia to continue standing on the side of peace”.

In a tweet sharing the statement, it adds jubilantly: “We are proud as a nation!!!”

Amnesty International secretary Kumi Naidoo said in a statement that the award must “push and motivate” Mr Ahmed “to tackle the outstanding human rights challenges that threaten to reverse the gains made so far”.

Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said in a tweet that Mr Ahmed has “demonstrated that with patience, courage and conviction, peace is possible”.

Jan Egeland, the secretary-general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, praised Mr Ahmed but added that he “must now make resolving ethnic tensions within Ethiopia a priority and work tirelessly to bring peace to his people”.