Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed won the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for ending 20 years of hostility with neighbouring Eritrea and initiating broad domestic changes but also calls to tackle outstanding challenges and further enhance reforms.
Ethiopia’s PM Abiy wins Nobel Peace Prize
Bestowing the award on Friday, Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee Berit Reiss-Andersen said that Abiy had “reached out his hand” to formalise a peace process with Eritrea and given many Ethiopians a “better life and brighter future”.
Africa’s youngest leader, the 43-year-old sparked a historic rapprochement with Eritrea soon after coming to power in April last year, restoring ties that had been frozen since a 1998-2000 border war. He also
helped mediate a maritime territory dispute between Kenya and Somalia and has been a key part of efforts to bring together the leaders of Sudan and South Sudan for talks.
Domestically, the prime minister has introduced a series of sweeping political and economic adjustments, including granting amnesty to thousands of political prisoners, discontinuing media censorship and dismissing several high-profile figures suspected to be guilty of corruption.
Live Updates: Nobel Peace Prize 2019
Reflecting on Abiy’s efforts, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said peace efforts between Ethiopia and Eritrea had inspired hopes of regional “security and stability” and that the prime minister’s leadership had “set a wonderful example for others in and beyond Africa looking to overcome resistance from the past and put people first”.
Meanwhile, African Union (AU) chief Moussa Faki Mahamat tweeted, “It is with great pride that I congratulate Ethiopian PM @AbiyAhmedAli on being the 100th recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for his historic peacebuilding efforts that have given the world hope at a time it needs servant leadership more than ever.”
On the other hand, the delighted Ethiopians meanwhile took to social media to change their profile pictures to Abiy’s.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces congratulated Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on winning the Nobel Peace Prize.
Everything you need to know about PM Abiy Ahmed
The Dubai Ruler congratulated Abiy in a tweet. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid wrote, “We congratulate Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed @AbiyAhmedAli upon his well-deserved Nobel Peace Prize. He’s a man of wisdom and a true peacemaker who brings kindness and goodwill to his people and the people of Africa. He’s a well-respected leader among UAE citizens.”
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince said in a tweet, “My sincere congratulations to my dear friend Dr. Abiy Ahmed @PMEthiopia on winning the #NobelPeacePrize. He is a wise man who has brought peace and hope to his country and region. The prize is a well-deserved honour for an extraordinary leader.”
Nobel Peace Prize 2019
Abiy Ahmed’s office said on Friday, October 11, that the nation of Ethiopia was proud of his Nobel Peace Prize win. His office wrote, “We are proud as a nation.”
In a statement, his office further praised the decision. The statement said, “Since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed assumed political leadership in April 2018 he has made peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation key policy components of his administration. At a national level, the release of tens of thousands of political prisoners, granting of amnesty for media entities and political parties charged under the anti-terrorism law to return from exile and engage peacefully, widening the space for political parties… are some notable milestones. At the regional level, ending the two-decade stalemate between Ethiopia and Eritrea has opened up a new dimension of possibilities for co-operation between the two countries.”
