Global Congrats Trail Ethiopia’s PM, Abiy Ahmed Nobel Peace Award

 

 

By Ayo Kehinde with Agency Reports

Ethiopia PM, Abiy Ahmed Ali

 

 

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali who emerged winner of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, among 301 nominees in all, according to the Nobel committee, is basking in the glory of his award following the global messages of congratulations. He is the 100th recipient of the award.

Among the efforts that won him the prize are the signing a peace deal with Eritrea last year following two decades of conflict; facilitating a power-sharing deal in neighbouring Sudan, after President Omar al-Bashir was overthrown, embarking on a series of domestic reforms since he became PM in 2018. Others are the amnesty he granted  thousands of political prisoners, including opposition groups whom he allowed to operate after years of oppression. He also freed the censored media.

 

How he won the award according to the Nobel Peace Committee:

1.For his efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation, and in particular for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea.

2. An important premise for the breakthrough was Abiy Ahmed’s unconditional willingness to accept the arbitration ruling of an international boundary commission in 2002.

3. Peace does not arise from the actions of one party alone. When Prime Minister Abiy reached out his hand, President [Isaias] Afwerki grasped it, and helped to formalise the peace process between the two countries. The Norwegian Nobel Committee hopes the peace agreement will help to bring about positive change for the entire populations of Ethiopia and Eritrea.”

But the Nobel committee also recognises there is still work to be done:

4. However, many challenges remain unresolved. Ethnic strife continues to escalate, and we have seen troubling examples of this in recent weeks and months. No doubt some people will think this year’s prize is being awarded too early. The Norwegian Nobel Committee believes it is now that Abiy Ahmed’s efforts deserve recognition and need encouragement.

 

Global Congratulatory Messages:

Somalia’s President, Mohamed Farmaajo said: “He is a deserving winner and I have enjoyed working with him on strengthening regional cooperation.

Ghana’s president, Nana Akufo-Addo, said the award is a “reminder to us all that peace is one of the most critical ingredients needed to make Africa successful.

Liberia’s President George Weah called winning the prize a “noble feat”

The head of the UN’s Economic Commission for Africa, Dr. Vera Songwe, called the award a “pride for Africa”

The head of the African Union’s commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, said Mr Abiy’s peace efforts “have given the world hope”:

“It is with great pride that I congratulate Ethiopian PM Mr Abiy Ahmed on being the 100th recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for his historic peacebuiding efforts that have given the world hope at a time it needs servant leadership more than ever.

Kenya’s opposition leader Raila Odinga, who is also African Union envoy for infrastructure, termed the prize as an honour to the Continent which has long been held back by wars.”

Zimbabwe’s opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has termed the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Abiy Ahmed as a victory for Africa’s “progressive leaders”:

“This is a victory for Political Reforms, Peace & for all the progressive leaders on the African continent. At 43 years of age, you have prevailed!”

The head of the UN refugee agency, Filippo Grand called the prize a “well deserved recognition for his efforts to bring peace to his region and beyond”

Kenya’s sports minister, Dr Amina Mohamed tweeted, saying; “when peace thrives, our people flourish”:

The UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres has said Abiy Ahmed’s “vision helped Ethiopia and Eritrea achieve a historic rapprochement and his leadership has set a wonderful example for others in and beyond”

For the head of the Norwegian Refugee, Jan Egeland, Abiy Ahmed should now focus attention on ending ethnic conflict within Ethiopia, which has, he says, displaced more than two million people.

He said: “Good. Now Ethiopia’s priority must be to end internal ethnic violence & suffering of 2.3 million displaced people.”