Ethiopia PM Abiy wins Nobel for mending ties with Eritrea

Oslo, October 11

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed won the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for his peacemaking efforts which ended two decades of hostility with longtime enemy Eritrea. Abiy restored ties with Eritrea that had been frozen since a 1998-2000 border war.

“I am humbled and thrilled ... It is a prize given to Africa, given to Ethiopia,” Abiy said in a phone call with the secretary of the award committee that was posted online.

The Nobel Committee said Abiy had won the prestigious prize for “efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation, and in particular for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea”.

“The prime minister also has to work on to improve the economy and drive down the cost of living,” he added.

“The challenge now is internal for Abiy Ahmed, with Ethiopia needing to deal with the consequences of long-term violence, including three million displaced people and the need for continuing the political process.”

“I have said often that winds of hope are blowing ever stronger across Africa. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is one of the main reasons why,” said United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres.  — Reuters

‘Humbled & Thrilled’  

“I am humbled and thrilled when I just heard the news,” Ethiopia PM Abiy told the Nobel Committee

The Nobel Committee said Ethiopia PM Abiy won the prize for “efforts to achieve peace in particular for his initiative to resolve the border conflict with Eritrea”

The award consists of a gold medal, a diploma, and nine million Swedish kronor (US$912,000)