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Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has won the Nobel Peace Prize 2019 for his efforts to resolve the long-running conflict with neighbouring foe Eritrea.
Why Abiy Ahmed was chosen for the Nobel?
- He received the award for his efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation and in particular for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea.
- According to international observers, up to three million Ethiopians may be internally displaced.
- That is in addition to the million or so refugees and asylum seekers from neighbouring countries.
- On July 9, 2018, following a historic meeting in Eritrea’s capital Asmara, Abiy and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki formally ended a 20-year-old stalemate between the countries in the wake of the 1998-2000 border conflict.
- He is Africa’s youngest leader and has instilled certain optimism in a region of Africa marred by violence.
- The prize is also meant to recognise all the stakeholders working for peace and reconciliation in Ethiopia and in the East and Northeast African regions.
About Ethiopia
- Ethiopia is Africa’s second most populous country and has East Africa’s largest economy.
- Eritrea broke from its federation with Ethiopia in April 1993.
- Eritrea became an independent country located strategically at the mouth of the Red Sea on the Horn of Africa, bordering crucial shipping lanes.
- Ethiopia is landlocked, and through the years of the war with Eritrea, it has been dependent heavily on Djibouti for access to the sea.
- Ethiopia lies completely within the tropical latitudes and its capital is Addis Ababa (“New Flower”).
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