Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. PA Images

Ethiopia's Prime Minister wins Nobel Peace Prize for ending war with Eritrea

The announcement was made this morning.

ETHIOPIAN PRIME MINISTER Abiy Ahmed Ali has been awarded this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.

The Nobel committee announced the prize this morning, saying that it had granted the prestigious prize to Ali for “his efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation, and in particular for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea”.

Ali had been among the favourites to win the prize following his and his government’s work in securing a 2018 peace deal with its neighbour in Eritrea. 

Climate action campaigner Greta Thunberg had been the bookies favourite to win the peace prize but misses out on the award for 2019. 

The Nobel Committee does not reveal who was nominated for the prize until 50 years after each year’s prize is announced but Thunberg was known to be among this year’s nominees. 

Ali’s deal put a formal end to the Ethiopia-Eritrea border war, which erupted in 1998 and left tens of thousands dead before hostilities ended in 2000. 

Despite the ending of active violence, a final peace deal remained elusive. 

The ensuing cold war stymied development and trade, and undermined regional security, but in a surprise move earlier last year, Abiy began peace overtures, which were welcomed by Eritrea.

Key to this was Abiy’s acceptance in June of a UN-backed court ruling in 2002 demarcating the contested border. 

It eventually led to the land border between the two nations opening for the first time in 20 years. 

“In close cooperation with Isaias Afwerki, the President of Eritrea, this year’s Peace Laureate Abiy Ahmed quickly worked out the principles of a peace agreement to end the long “no peace, no war” stalemate between Ethiopia and Eritrea,” the Nobel Committee said today.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
17 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robespierre
    Favourite Robespierre
    Report
    Dec 17th 2016, 10:08 AM

    If you can’t pull those off you are probably catatonic

    Basic skills:
    How to prep vegetables
    Making a sauce
    Cooking meat / fish using a pan/skillet, grill or oven

    Advanced skills:
    Stop using your eyes and use your mouth/nose instead – yes you need that much butter/oil/cream/wine/stock & no you haven’t put enough salt/pepper in for 10 people.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brown Boots
    Favourite Brown Boots
    Report
    Dec 17th 2016, 11:04 AM

    I think someone’s been pulling something else off rather than these… Spanner

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conor church
    Favourite Conor church
    Report
    Dec 17th 2016, 11:05 AM

    Ah have a beer and relax

    26
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brown Boots
    Favourite Brown Boots
    Report
    Dec 17th 2016, 11:13 AM

    Bit early, but it’s Christmas, don’t mind if I do, thank you Conor

    14
    jane
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute jane
    Favourite jane
    Report
    Dec 17th 2016, 11:31 AM

    It’s too early to use Christmas as an excuse for morning beers, it’s acceptable from Thursday on.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brown Boots
    Favourite Brown Boots
    Report
    Dec 17th 2016, 11:58 AM

    Ah Jane, come on, what harm will it do!… Reading that to myself… I may have used that line previously, inserting different name!!! OK maybe you are right!!!

    5
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds