2019 Nobel Peace Prize : Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali Bags The Prestigious Award

File Picture : Twitter / ANI

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2019 to Ethiopian Prime Minister the 43 – year-old Abiy Ahmed Ali.

A former army intelligence officer, Abiy, since becoming prime minister, has launched a wide programme of political and economic reforms,not all of which have met with favour by supporters of the federalism-based constitution/system of Ethiopia and in Tigray (in which Abiy’s shake-up of the Ethiopian state that has targeted Tigrayans is seen as selective)

The spokesperson has announced: “The Norwegian Nobel committee has decided to award the Nobel peace prize for 2019 to Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed’s efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation and for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea.”

The 2019 Nobel Peace Prize is also meant to recognise all the stakeholders working for peace and reconciliation in Ethiopia and in the East and Northeast African regions.

The spokesperson added: “In Ethiopia, even if much work remains, Peace Laureate Abiy Ahmed has initiated important reforms that give many citizens hope for a better life and a brighter future. As Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed has sought to promote reconciliation, solidarity and social justice.”

Abiy Ahmed Ali is responsible for ending the 20-year war between Ethiopia and Eritrea — a largely pointless war over disputed border territory that came at a huge financial and human cost to both countries.