Nobel Peace Prize Winner PM Gets Hero’s Welcome (December 12, 2019)

Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed, the winner of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, was given a hero’s welcome when he returned home this morning.

Senior Government officials and residents of Addis Ababa welcomed the Premier with celebrations in honor of Ethiopia’s first Nobel Peace Prize winner.

A 21-gun salute is also fired in honor of the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister told local journalists at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport that the the Prize has brought a great opportunity to build the country’s image.

He called on Ethiopians to seize the opportunity to build their country by listening to each other and resolving their differences.

The Prime Minister extended his gratitude to the peoples of Ethiopia and Eritrea, and President Isaias Afwerki in particular.

The Prime Minister expressed his hope that he will celebrate the Noble Peace Prize achievement with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki soon.

Prime Minister Dr Abiy received the Nobel Peace Prize on December 10, 2019 in Oslo, Norway.

He was award the prize in recognition of his crucial role in creating peace between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

The award is also in recognition to his efforts to build democracy in Ethiopia and contribution to peace and reconciliation processes in East and North East Africa.

During the award ceremony, Berit Reiss-Andersen, Chairperson of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, said “We are awarding the Peace Prize to you as an individual because you have personally made an extraordinary difference across several arenas.”

“It is the totality of your efforts that convinced us that it is you, Mr. Prime Minister, who have made the most significant contribution to peace in the past year,” she said.

In his Nobel lecture, Prime Minister Dr Abiy thanked the Norwegian Nobel Committee “for recognizing and encouraging my contribution to a peaceful resolution of the border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea.”

As a result of the peace deal “families separated for over two decades are now united, diplomatic relations are fully restored, air and telecommunication services have been re-established,” he said.