The Norwegian Nobel Committee, led by Berit Reiss Andersen, awarded Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, 11 October 2019. The latter distinguished himself by his involvement in resolving the border conflict with Eritrea.
Elected Ethiopian Prime Minister in March 2018, Abiy Ahmed, a former military, has taken strong action to consolidate democracy in his country. He released some political prisoners, lifted the state of emergency and gave the press more freedom. This earned him the distinction established since 1901 and which rewards the person or the community that has done the most or best to bring people together. Abiy Ahmed succeeds Congolese doctor Denis Mukwege who assisted and cared for female victims of mutilation.
This year, there were 301 candidates for this honorary award, including 223 personalities and 78 organizations. Abiy Ahmed becomes the 24th African to receive this award. His prize will be awarded on 10 December 2019 at Oslo City Hall, the capital of Norway.
