Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed Wins Nobel Peace Prize

 

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has won the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his efforts to end his country’s border conflict with Eritrea.

The Norwegian Nobel Institute made the announcement on Friday. It also praised “the important reforms” that Abiy has launched in Ethiopia since becoming prime minister 18 months ago.

The prize comes as Abiy is facing pressure to defend the reforms he announced. Critics warn that his ability to deal with rising unrest in his country may be weakening.

The Nobel committee said some people may consider it too early to give him the peace prize, but added “it is now that Abiy Ahmed’s efforts need recognition.”

By choosing him, the committee showed its desire to give the award to individuals whose efforts need encouragement.

Reacting to the announcement, the 43-year-old leader said he was “humbled.”

In a call with the Nobel committee, he explained his hope that the award would influence other African leaders “to work on (the) peacebuilding process on our continent.”

Actions as prime minister

Abiy Ahmed took office after large protests pressured the old ruling coalition² and hurt one of the world’s fastest growing economies. Africa’s youngest leader quickly announced extensive reforms.

He surprised people by accepting a peace deal ending a 20-year border war between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Tens of thousands of people died in the conflict.

The two East African nations had not had diplomatic ties since the war began in 1998. Abiy once fought in a town that remained disputed at the time he accepted the peace deal.

Within weeks, the president of Eritrea, Isaias Afwerki, visited the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. Communications and transport links were re-established. Families that had been divided for 20 years were reunited.

The improving relations led the United Nations to remove sanctions on Eritrea.

Ethiopia’s reforms, however, do not seem to have led to changes in Eritrea. It remains³ a closed state and has closed the border with Ethiopia.

The Nobel committee pointed⁴ to Abiy’s other diplomatic efforts in East Africa. He has tried to ease tensions between Eritrea and Djibouti and between Kenya and Somalia. He has also reached out to different sides in Sudan.

Ethiopia is Africa’s second most populous⁵ nation, with about 110 million people.

Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a 30-year guerrilla war. About 80,000 people died in a war between the two sides from 1998 to 2000.

The Nobel committee noted⁶ that “peace does not arise from the actions of one party alone.” It said that when Abiy “reached out his hand, President Afwerki grasped it, and helped to formalize the peace process between the two countries.”

The committee added that it “hopes the peace agreement will help to bring about positive change for the entire populations of Ethiopia and Eritrea.”

Reaction to the decision

Reacting to the Nobel committee’s decision, Eritrea’s ambassador to Japan offered congratulations, adding “tears have won again over evil.”

Leaders in Africa, including those of Liberia, Ghana and neighboring Somalia, reacted with praise and encouragement. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the “winds of hope are blowing ever stronger across Africa.”

The United States embassy in Ethiopia joined in the congratulations, noting the “progress” made under Abiy.

At home, the new prime minister offered one political surprise after another. He released tens of thousands of prisoners and welcomed home once banned political groups. He announced that Ethiopia would hold free and fair elections in 2020.

For the first time, the country had no journalists in prison, media groups noted last year.

The prime minister also announced the opening-up of Ethiopia’s economy. He said private investment would be welcome in major state-owned businesses. The process continues slowly.

As Abiy enjoyed praise overseas, problems began in Ethiopia, mostly among different ethnic⁷ groups. Unrest has been an issue as formerly⁸ oppressed groups find they can freely demonstrate.

Some observers warn that the unrest will grow in the months leading up to the elections next year.

I’m Susan Shand.

Words in This Story

encourage – v. to make someone more hopeful or motivated

humble¹ – adj. not pleased with oneself; not thinking of yourself as better than other people

sanctions – n. an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country

grasp – v. to take and hold something

positive – adj. good or useful

journalist – n. a news reporter or other media worker

1 humble   

adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低

参考例句：

• In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见，他将在选举中获胜。
• Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。

2 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

3 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

4 pointed   

adj.尖的，直截了当的

参考例句：

• He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
• She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。

5 populous   

adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的

参考例句：

• London is the most populous area of Britain.伦敦是英国人口最稠密的地区。
• China is the most populous developing country in the world.中国是世界上人口最多的发展中国家。

6 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

7 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。

8 formerly   

adv.从前，以前

参考例句：

• We now enjoy these comforts of which formerly we had only heard.我们现在享受到了过去只是听说过的那些舒适条件。
• This boat was formerly used on the rivers of China.这船从前航行在中国内河里。