Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed received the Nobel Peace Prize award on Tuesday in a formal ceremony held in Oslo city hall, Norway.
Abiy Ahmed received the Nobel Peace Prize medal from the Norwegian Nobel committee Chair, Ms. Anderson in a ceremony attended by distinguished dignitaries. The role he played in resolving the long-running conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea earned him the prestigious award.
While speaking at the Ceremony, abiy Ahmed said all who made the ultimate sacrifice on the cause of the peace are the through winners of the Nobel Peace Prize.
“I accept this award on behalf of Ethiopians and Eritreans, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of peace,” said the Nobel Medal Winner.
Ahmed recalled the sad experiences that propelled him to play a key role in resolving one of Africa’s longest-running conflicts between the two countries while he was a soldier in the Ethiopian army.
“Twenty years ago, I was a radio operator attached to an Ethiopian army unit in the border town of Badame,” Mr. Ahmed recalled.
“I briefly left the foxhole in the hopes of getting a good antenna reception, It only took but a few minutes. Yet, upon my return, I was shocked to discover that my entire unit had been wiped out in an artillery attack.”
The major achievements Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has made that earned him the award as highlighted by the Norwegian Nobel Committee Chair, Ms. Anderson include peace with Eritrea, promoting democratic reforms in Ethiopia which includes overseeing the release of political prisoners among others.
Abiy Ahmed also recognized the effort made by his Eritrean counterpart Isaias Afwerki in resolving the conflicts that was running in two decades.
“Likewise, I accept this award on behalf of my partner, and comrade-in-peace, President Isaias Afwerki, whose goodwill, trust and commitment were vital in ending the two-decade deadlock between our countries,” said Abiy Ahmed.
The Nobel Peace Prize consists of a diploma, gold medal and a cheque for nine million Swedish kronor ($945,000).
