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Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed wins 2019 Nobel peace prize – live news
Nobel peace prize: Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed wins 2019 award – live news
(32 minutes later)
Here’s a view from the room, giving you an idea of the media presence that surrounded Berit Reiss-Andersen when she was making the announcement this morning.
Among world leaders to pay tribute on social media to Ahmed’s award is Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He has tweeted his congratulations, saying “He is a wise man who has brought peace and hope to his country and region. The prize is a well-deserved honour for an extraordinary leader.”
My sincere congratulations to my dear friend Dr Abiy Ahmed @PMEthiopia on winning the #NobelPeacePrize. He is a wise man who has brought peace and hope to his country and region. The prize is a well-deserved honour for an extraordinary leader. pic.twitter.com/dpKoYHgQvI
President of Somalia Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed has also offered his congratulations, describing Ahmed as a “deserving winner”
I sincerely congratulate @PMEthiopia H.E Abiy Ahmed Ali on his @NobelPrize success this year. He is a deserving winner and I have enjoyed working with him on strengthening regional cooperation.Congratulations PM Abiy. pic.twitter.com/yc62ogKYYq
Here’s our full report on the Nobel peace prize award from my colleague Jon Henley.
Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopian prime minister, wins 2019 Nobel peace prize
It isn’t all gushing congratulations to the Ethiopian prime minister. Amnesty International have just tweeted that Ahmed should use the prize as an opportunity to “tackle the outstanding human rights challenges that threaten to reverse the gains made so far.”
Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has received the Nobel Peace Prize. This award should push & motivate him to tackle the outstanding human rights challenges that threaten to reverse the gains made so far.
Ahmed becomes the 24th African to win a Nobel, following Denis Mukwege of the Democratic Republic of the Congo last year.
Other 21st century African winners of the peace prize include Liberia’s Leymah Gbowee and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in 2011, Egypt’s Mohamed ElBaradei in 2005, Kenya’s Wangari Maathai in 2004, and Kofi Annan in 2001.
Here’s a piece from my colleague Jason Burke from last year, explaining how Abiy Ahmed has made such a change to Ethiopian politics.
'These changes are unprecedented': how Abiy is upending Ethiopian politics
A journalist asks whether the committee will return to environmental issues in coming years, and what Reiss-Anderson would say to Thunberg’s supporters, she replies:
A journalist asks whether the committee will return to environmental issues in coming years, and what Reiss-Anderson would say to Thunberg’s supporters, she replies:
On the day when we announce the prize, we never comment who didn’t get the prize and who could have had the prize...
On the day when we announce the prize, we never comment who didn’t get the prize and who could have had the prize...
So I have no comment to that.
So I have no comment to that.
There is a long history of Nobel peace prize going to states people associated with ending conflicts, most recently Colombia’s Juan Manuel Santos who was awarded the prize in 2016 for helping to bring his country’s 50-year civil war to an end.
There is a long history of Nobel peace prize going to states people associated with ending conflicts, most recently Colombia’s Juan Manuel Santos who was awarded the prize in 2016 for helping to bring his country’s 50-year civil war to an end.
A member of the audience has noted that Ahmed is yet to introduce democratic reform in Ethiopia, and asked what the Nobel committee expect of him “when it comes to election”.
A member of the audience has noted that Ahmed is yet to introduce democratic reform in Ethiopia, and asked what the Nobel committee expect of him “when it comes to election”.
Reiss-Andersen responds:
Reiss-Andersen responds:
We have recognised his intention of carrying through for democratic elections next year and I do not quite agree in the premise in your question, because there is definitely a lot achieved already in reforming Ethiopia to a democracy, but there’s also a long way to go. And Rome was not made in a day, and neither will peace and democratic development be achieved in a short period of time.
We have recognised his intention of carrying through for democratic elections next year and I do not quite agree in the premise in your question, because there is definitely a lot achieved already in reforming Ethiopia to a democracy, but there’s also a long way to go. And Rome was not made in a day, and neither will peace and democratic development be achieved in a short period of time.
She adds that the award is a recognition of the work he has already done and hopes it will be developed and continued.
She adds that the award is a recognition of the work he has already done and hopes it will be developed and continued.
Asked whether this year’s candidate was easy to choose, the chair replies: “The work of the Nobel committee is never easy”.
Asked whether this year’s candidate was easy to choose, the chair replies: “The work of the Nobel committee is never easy”.
Here is a feature from September 2018 on Ethiopia’s democratic awakening.
Here is a feature from September 2018 on Ethiopia’s democratic awakening.
Something extraordinary is happening in Ethiopia. Under new prime minister Abiy Ahmed, authoritarianism and state brutality appear to be giving way to something resembling democracy. A country that began the year crippled by anti-government protests is now being lauded as a model for the region. One of Africa’s most autocratic ruling parties, the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), is today led by a man who professes to believe deeply in freedom of expression.
Something extraordinary is happening in Ethiopia. Under new prime minister Abiy Ahmed, authoritarianism and state brutality appear to be giving way to something resembling democracy. A country that began the year crippled by anti-government protests is now being lauded as a model for the region. One of Africa’s most autocratic ruling parties, the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), is today led by a man who professes to believe deeply in freedom of expression.
'Abiy Ahmed is our miracle': Ethiopia's democratic awakening | Tom Gardner and Charlie Rosser
'Abiy Ahmed is our miracle': Ethiopia's democratic awakening | Tom Gardner and Charlie Rosser
The office of the Ethiopian prime minister has tweeted of its pride “as a nation”.
The office of the Ethiopian prime minister has tweeted of its pride “as a nation”.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced as 2019 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. We are proud as a nation!!!#PMOEthiopia pic.twitter.com/82SLwDJw21
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced as 2019 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. We are proud as a nation!!!#PMOEthiopia pic.twitter.com/82SLwDJw21
The rest of the announcement:
Peace does not arise from the actions of one party alone. When Prime Minister Abiy reached out his hand, President Afwerki grasped it, and helped to formalise the peace process between the two countries. The Norwegian Nobel committee hopes the peace agreement will help to bring about positive change for the entire populations of Ethiopia and Eritrea.
In Ethiopia, even if much work remains, Abiy Ahmed has initiated important reforms that give many citizens hope for a better life and a brighter future. He spent his first 100 days as Prime Minister lifting the country’s state of emergency, granting amnesty to thousands of political prisoners, discontinuing media censorship, legalising outlawed opposition groups, dismissing military and civilian leaders who were suspected of corruption, and significantly increasing the influence of women in Ethiopian political and community life. He has also pledged to strengthen democracy by holding free and fair elections.
In the wake of the peace process with Eritrea, Prime Minister Abiy has engaged in other peace and reconciliation processes in East and Northeast Africa. In September 2018 he and his government contributed actively to the normalisation of diplomatic relations between Eritrea and Djibouti after many years of political hostility. Additionally, Abiy Ahmed has sought to mediate between Kenya and Somalia in their protracted conflict over rights to a disputed marine area. There is now hope for a resolution to this conflict. In Sudan, the military regime and the opposition have returned to the negotiating table. On the 17th of August, they released a joint draft of a new constitution intended to secure a peaceful transition to civil rule in the country. Prime Minister Abiy played a key role in the process that led to the agreement.
Ethiopia is a country of many different languages and peoples. Lately, old ethnic rivalries have flared up. 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. As Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed has sought to promote reconciliation, solidarity and social justice. However, many challenges remain unresolved. Ethnic strife continues to escalate, and we have seen troubling examples of this in recent weeks and months. No doubt some people will think this year’s prize is being awarded too early. The Norwegian Nobel committee believes it is now that Abiy Ahmed’s efforts deserve recognition and need encouragement.
The Norwegian Nobel committee hopes that the Nobel Peace Prize will strengthen Prime Minister Abiy in his important work for peace and reconciliation. Ethiopia is Africa’s second most populous country and has East Africa’s largest economy. A peaceful, stable and successful Ethiopia will have many positive side-effects, and will help to strengthen fraternity among nations and peoples in the region. With the provisions of Alfred Nobel’s will firmly in mind, the Norwegian Nobel committee sees Abiy Ahmed as the person who in the preceding year has done the most to deserve the Nobel Peace Prize for 2019.
Further lines from the statement:
When Abiy Ahmed became prime minster in April 2018, he made it clear he wishes to resume pace talks with Eritrea .. in close cooperation with the president of Eritrea, Abiy Ahmed quickly worked out the principles for a peace agreement to end the long no peace stalemate between the two countries.
An important premise for the breakthrough was Ahmed’s willingness to accept the arbitration ruling of an international boundary commission in 2002.
Berit Reiss-Andersen, the chairwoman of the five-member Norwegian Nobel Institute, has announced:
The Norwegian Nobel committee has decided to award the Nobel peace prize for 2019 to Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed’s efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation and for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea.
Since taking power, Ahmed has also championed the role of women in politics. He appointed women to half of his country’s 20 ministerial posts in government, including the country’s first female defence minister.
BREAKING NEWS:The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2019 to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali.#NobelPrize #NobelPeacePrize pic.twitter.com/uGRpZJHk1B
It looks like we’re about to get underway.
There’s about two minutes now until the scheduled announcement, and a small group of media and others have gathered around a lectern.
Would you like to be on next year’s committee?
How do you get to be on the Nobel Committee? Find out in this Q&A with Henrik Syse who helps to decide the #NobelPeacePrize. pic.twitter.com/EzVOfv59tQ
At a press conference at the end of last month, New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed she was not aware if she had been nominated or not.
I don’t think anyone gets informed as to whether or not they have been nominated.
When asked about being nominated for the prize, the New Zealand Herard reported that Ardern said that was “highly, highly speculative”
Ardern moved swiftly to introduce greater gun controls after the devastating Christchurch shooting and her compassionate response touched people across the world.
You can't copy love: why other politicians fall short of Jacinda Ardern | Ghassan Hage
In July, she called on world leaders to widen their definition of prosperity.
The prize has previously been won by Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa and Barack Obama, and the winner will also receive a gold medal and just under US$1 million.
According to the Nobel Peace Prize website, there are 301 candidates for the award this year, including 223 individuals and 78 organisations.
However, the committee does not announce the names of nominees whatsoever until 50 years have passed.
You can watch live here:
WATCH LIVE: Join us for the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize announcement.Hear the breaking news first – see the live coverage from 11:00am CEST.Where are you watching from?#NobelPrizehttps://t.co/72bqYKvxA1
Greta Thunberg, who visited Standing Rock this week, is the bookmakers favourite but it would still be surprising if she won.
Greta Thunberg nominated for Nobel peace prize
Abiy Ahmed, the Ethiopian prime minister, is the second favourite but the Nobel committee might well be wary of giving the award to a politician elected only last year. The peace was declared by both parties in July 2018.
This is from Reuters:
One of Abiy’s biggest victories was the peace deal, signed in July last year, which ended a nearly 20-year military stalemate with Eritrea following their 1998-2000 border war.
Asle Sveen, a historian who has written several books about the Nobel Peace Prize, told Reuters the deal made Abiy exactly the kind of candidate Alfred Nobel had envisaged for the prize.
“The peace deal has ended a long conflict with Eritrea, and he is very popular for having done this, and he is doing democratic reforms internally,” Sveen said.
But some benefits of the peace were short-lived. Land borders opened in July but closed in December with no official explanation.
“Last year’s rapprochement appears to have been partly due to the Eritrean president’s belief that Abiy’s rise marked the eclipse of Tigray’s ruling party, which had been his prime antagonist for more than two decades,” said Will Davison, an Ethiopia analyst at Crisis Group.
“But although it has lost power at the federal level, Tigray’s ruling party remains firmly in control of its own region, which includes a long border with Eritrea, partially explaining why relations between the two nations haven’t warmed further.”
Nebiat, the foreign ministry spokesman, said Eritrea and Ethiopia had restored diplomatic relations, air links and phone connections. “Other engagements are well underway to further institutionalize relations,” he said.
Abiy has pushed through reforms at home and abroad. His public renunciation of past abuses drew a line between his administration and that of his predecessor.
He appointed former dissidents to senior roles. Daniel Bekele, a former political prisoner and Africa director at New York-based Human Rights Watch, now heads the government’s human rights commission. Birtukan Mideksa, who founded an opposition party and was jailed after a disputed 2005 election, now heads the electoral commission.
But ethnically tinged violence flares frequently, and systemic attempts to address past injustices have been slow. A reconciliation commission set up in December has an unclear mandate, lacks expertise and has only met twice, said Laetitia Bader, an Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch.
“The jury is still out on whether the move will be more than mere window dressing,” Bader said.
Good morning everyone,
We’re going to find out the recipient of the 2019 Nobel peace prize in less than an hour, so stay tuned.
The Nobel committee does not reveal the names of candidates or nominations but speculation has focused on the 16-year-old environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg, whose combative speeches have increased awareness about the climate emergency around the world.
However, it is worth mentioning that the favourite for the award rarely wins.
Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed, who helped bring an end to his country’s two-decade long conflict with Eritrea over a disputed border which has seen several million displaced and tens of thousands killed, is another strong contender.
Jacinda Arden, whose response to the Christchurch shooting was widely hailed, is also in the running, as is the joint leadership of two prime ministers Greece’s Alexis Tsipras and North Macedonia’s Zoran Zaev, who brought an end to 30 years of acrimony between their nations.
Activists in Hong Kong have also been touted, with other outsiders including Davi Kopenawa, a spokesman for the rights of a Brazilian indigenous tribe.
Last year, the Norwegian Nobel committee awarded the prize to Congolese gynecologist Denis Mukwege and Iraqi Yazidi human rights activist Nadia Murad for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict.
Nobel peace prize goes to campaigners against sexual violence
Here’s why the Nobel prizes matter:
What's the point of Nobel prizes?
So far this week, 11 Nobel laureates have been named, of whom 10 are men.
Two literature prizes were awarded Thursday, with one for 2018 that went to Polish novelist Olga Tokarczuk after a sexual assault scandal led it to be cancelled last year by the Swedish Academy which said it needed to “commit time to recovering public confidence”
Meanwhile, the award for 2019 was given to Austrian author Peter Handke.
