Ethiopia’s peacemaking Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has won the Nobel Peace Prize.
The top honour is in recognition of the role played by the reformist leader in ending two decades of bloody and costly conflict with neighbouring Eritrea.
The charismatic 43-year-old, who became prime minister in April last year, has also earned praise for helping to secure a a power-sharing agreement in Sudan, following a political crisis that led to the arrest of the country’s long-time rulerOmar al Bashir.
He has also been hailed for his domestic reforms. Within months of coming to power he oversaw the release of the country’s political prisoners, condemning their torture and also freeing jailed journalists.
Also Read: Meet Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister That Is Redefining Leadership In Africa
He has also engaged in talks with political opponents and invited exiles to return. In a further progressive move, he appointed women to half of his cabinet. But while his changes have been welcomed by the international community, such as the planting of millions of trees in the country to curb the effects of climate change, he has also faced criticism at home.
Accused of cosying up to the West, his personality-driven leadership style has led to claims of narcissism. Since 1901, 99 Nobel Peace Prizes have been handed out, to individuals and 24 organisations.
The honour brings with it a 9m Swedish kronor (£735,000) cash award, a gold medal and a diploma. Unlike the other Nobel honours, which are received in Stockholm, the peace prize is awarded in the Norwegian capital, Oslo.
The ceremony will be held on 10 December, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death in 1896. The Swedish industrialist and inventor of dynamite left the bulk of his fortune to create the prizes.
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