Ethiopia’s PM receives Peace Nobel for ending Eritrea war
Oslo, Oct. 11: Hailed as a visionary and reformer, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for his efforts to resolve the long-running conflict with neighbouring foe Eritrea.
Abiy was honoured “for his efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation, and in particular for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea,” the Nobel Committee said.
The award is seen as a welcome boost for
Africa’s youngest leader as he faces worrying inter-community violence ahead of a parliamentary election in May 2020.
“I was so humbled and thrilled when I just heard the news,” Abiy told the Nobel Committee in a phone call posted online on the Nobel Prize website.
In a later interview on the same website, Mr Ahmed said he thought the prize would invigorate regional peace efforts. “This is great news for Africa, great news for East Africa. A place where peace is a very expensive commodity, and I am sure it will give us energy to work towards peace and to realise peace within our region,” Ethiopian Prime Minister said.
This is the second year in a row that an African has received the award, after Congolese gynaecologist Denis Mukwege shared the prize with Yazidi activist Nadia Murad in 2018 for their work combating sexual violence.
Oslo: Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2019 in recognition of his efforts to end his country’s longrunning border conflict with Eritrea.
The Norwegian Nobel Institute on Friday also praised the “important reforms” that Abiy, Ethiopia’s leader since April 2018, has launched at home.
Chairwoman Berit ReissAndersen said some people may consider it too early to give him the prize, but “it is now that Abiy Ahmed’s efforts need recognition and deserve encouragement.”
Mr Abiy, 43, took office after widespread protests pressured the longtime ruling coalition and hurt one of the world’s fastest growing economies.
Africa’s youngest leader quickly announced dramatic reforms and “Abiymania” began.
In a move that caused surprise in the long-turbulent Horn of Africa region, he said Ethiopia would accept a peace agreement with Eritrea, ending one of Africa’s longest-running conflicts.
Within weeks, Eritrea’s longtime leader, visibly moved, visited
Addis Ababa and communications and transport links were restored.
For the first time in two decades people could, long-divided families made tearful reunions.
The improving relations led to the lifting of United Nations sanctions on Eritrea, one of the world’s most reclusive nations. But Ethiopia’s reforms appear not to have inspired any in Eritrea, which has since closed border posts with its neighbour. At home, Abiy offered one political surprise after another. He released tens of thousands of prisoners, welcomed
home once-banned opposition groups and acknowledged past abuses. People expressed themselves freely on social media, and he announced that Ethiopia will hold free and fair elections in 2020.
The country has one of the world’s few “genderbalanced” Cabinets and a female President.