Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister of Ethiopia wins the Nobel Peace Prize for 2019.
The award recognises his efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation, especially to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring country Eritrea.
The prize also recognises all the stakeholders working for peace and reconciliation in Ethiopia and in the East and Northeast African regions.
Assuming Prime Minister office in April 2018, Abiy Ahmed immediately resumed peace talks with Eritrea. The principles of peace agreement was formed to end the long “no peace, no war” stalemate between the two countries.
During his first 100 days in office, Prime Minister introduced series of reforms, such as, lifting the country’s state of emergency, granting amnesty to thousands of political prisoners, discontinuing media censorship, legalising outlawed opposition groups, and dismissing military and civilian leaders who were suspected of corruption. These reforms gave many citizens hope for a better life and a brighter future.
He significantly increased the influence of women in Ethiopian political and community life. He also pledged to strengthen democracy by holding free and fair elections.
Ethiopia is a country of many different languages and peoples. Lately, old ethnic rivalries have flared up. According to international observers, up to three million Ethiopians may be internally displaced. That is in addition to the million or so refugees and asylum seekers from neighbouring countries. As Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed has sought to promote reconciliation, solidarity and social justice.
In the wake of the peace process with Eritrea, Prime Minister Abiy has also engaged in other peace and reconciliation processes in East and Northeast Africa.