Riyaz Patel
The 2019 Nobel Peace Prize has been bestowed on Abiy Ahmed Ali, the 43-year-old Ethiopian Prime Minister who helped end his country’s 20-year war with Eritrea.
Berit Reiss-Andersen, the chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee said Ali was chosen “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 conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea over disputed border territory came at a huge financial and humanitarian cost for both countries.
Ali also recently drew plaudits for his role in helping to broker a power-sharing deal in neighboring Sudan after a political crisis that followed the ousting of Omar al-Bashir, the country’s ruler for almost three decades.
“As Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed Ali has sought to promote reconciliation, solidarity and social justice,” said Reiss-Andersen in Oslo.
“Some people will think this year’s prize is being awarded too early. “But she says the committee “believes it is now that Abiy Ahmed’s efforts deserve recognition and need encouragement.”
Reiss-Andersen added that she hopes the prize can “strengthen Prime Minister Ahmed in his important work.”
“Rome was not made in a day,” she said, and “neither will peace and democratic development be achieved that quickly.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa congratulated Ali for his award, and paid “tribute to the governments and peoples of Ethiopia and Eritrea for making this achievement possible and for opening up new possibilities for cooperation, integration and development.“
“South Africa offers its warmest congratulations to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali on being awarded this prestigious prize. This award focuses global attention on our continent’s relentless progress towards peace and stability.”
UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres, said Ali’s leadership has set a “wonderful example” for the international community.
The Ethiopian Prime Minister’s office tweeted out a statement after Ali was named the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize winner.
The office is “pleased to express our pride” in the selection, adding that Abiy “has made peace, forgiveness and reconciliation key policy components of his administration.”
Raila Odinga, the former Kenyan prime minister, said the prize is “an honour to our Continent which has long been held back by wars.”
Congratulations! said Amnesty International.
