For taking the route less traveled, for being humble enough to recognize that leadership is service, for cutting a figure that is quite in contrast to what obtains mostly in Africa where leaders want to be seen as demigods, for seeking peace, even at the expense of his office and life, the prime minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed was roundly acknowledged as desirous of winning this year’s Nobel peace prize. And the Norwegian Parliament did just that, by awarding the Prize to him.
He won the coveted prize beating other potential winners considered in the running for this year’s prize which includes the 16-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, and Hong Kong activists. Another figure who was considered was the New Zealand prime minister, Jacinda Ardern principally because of her response to the Christchurch shooting in her country and also Alexis Tsipras and Zoran Zaev, the prime ministers of Greece and North Macedonia, who ended 30 years of acrimony between their countries. Ninety nine Nobel peace prizes have been awarded since 1901, to individuals and 24 organisations. While the other Nobel prize laureates are announced in Stockholm, the peace prize is awarded in the Norwegian capital, Oslo.
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Since his election as the Prime Minister after the surprising resignation of the former Prime Minister last year, Abiy has pushed through reforms at home, dramatically changing the atmosphere in what was known as one of the more repressive states in Africa.His public renunciation of past abuses by previous rulers drew a line between his administration and those of his predecessors, as did the appointment of former dissidents to senior roles, as well as large numbers of women. Abiy according to observers brought something different to power, intelligent, suave, young, cyber-nerd and humane. And he has generously deployed all these attributes to drive change in his country working through government institutions. Being the first Prime Minister from Ethiopia’s most populous ethnicity, Oromo who for decades have complained over economic,cultural and political marginalization, he came into office breaking stereotypes and myths by appointing more women into high-profile jobs than any other Prime Minister in the history of Ethiopia.
As part of his bridge building efforts, he lifted bans on political parties,releasing imprisoned journalists and firing series of hitherto untouchable officials, some accused of torture. Moreso, we campaigned for the planting of millions of tress which further won him international support and recognition.The Norwegian Nobel committee said the award recognised Abiy’s “efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation, and in particular his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea” which has lingered for over two decades years leading to a bloody war. Moreso, Abiy has pushed for political and economic reforms on all fronts, seeking for peace within Ethiopia by granting generous concessions to many of the ethnic groups agitating for autonomy and independence.
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According to the Nobel peace prize website, 301 candidates had been put forward for this year’s award. However, the committee does not announce the names of nominees until 50 years have passed.
Abiy, 43, has forged a reputation as a daring leader prepared to take risks to tackle decades-old problems. A former military officer specialising in cyber intelligence, the peace deal with Eritrea surprised and delighted tens of millions of people across East Africa. The conflict had cost both countries dearly in lives and scarce resources, and was a brake on development across much of the volatile region.
Born in western Ethiopia, Abiy joined the resistance against the regime of Mengistu Haile Mariam as a teenager before enlisting in the armed forces,reaching the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He has a doctorate in peace and security studies. After a stint running Ethiopia’s cyber-intelligence service,he entered politics eight years ago and rose rapidly up the ranks of the Oromo faction of the EPRDF, which has historically been at odds with the Tigrayans.
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Analysts say Abiy’s mixed Christian and Muslim background, and fluency in three of the country’s main languages allow the new leader to bridge communal and sectarian divides. One personal acquaintance described the new Nobel Laureate as “always looking ahead for the future”shortly after Abiy survived an apparent assassination attempt in 2018. Former colleagues said shelves of books on religion, philosophy and science filled Abiy’s office. “He is physically active and very well organised … He did not have a secretary because he wanted his office to be accessible.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry.