Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed wins Nobel Peace Prize

The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali as winner of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for "his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighboring Eritrea."

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the European Council headquarters in Brussels, January 24, 2019. [File Photo: IC/AP]

Chairperson of the committee Berit Reiss-Andersen made the announcement in Oslo. She said that when Abiy Ahmed became Prime Minister in April 2018, he made it clear that he wished to resume peace talks with Eritrea. In close cooperation with Isaias Afwerki, the President of Eritrea, Abiy Ahmed quickly worked out the principles of a peace agreement to end the long "no peace, no war" stalemate between the two countries.

Reiss-Andersen said that Abiy Ahmed has also initiated important reforms in Ethiopia to raise living standards in the country. He lifted the country's state of emergency, dismissed military and civilian officials who were suspected of corruption, and lifted the political status of women. He also remains committed to the peace and reconciliation process of the East and Northeast African region.

She told reporters the committee expected Abiy Ahmed to continue his endeavors for peace and reconciliation.