- Title: Ethiopians "proud" of PM's Nobel Peace Prize win
- Date: 11th October 2019
- Summary: ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA (OCTOBER 11, 2019) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ADDIS ABABA SKYLINE PEOPLE WALKING (SOUNDBITE) (Amharic) MICHAEL ZEWDIE, RESIDENT, SAYING: "I am very happy. With what Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has done for peace - for our country, for East Africa, it's great work. And for him to win such a big prize, I'm very happy- I heard it on the news - and I am still so happy. I am so happy." (SOUNDBITE) (Amharic) MAHLET MANAYE, SHOPKEEPER, SAYING: "He has done so much in East Africa. Especially in the Middle East, where he has managed to get imprisoned Ethiopians released; and he has enabled the patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church to come back home. He's done so much. And for all that work, we thought he could get the prize. As Ethiopians, we're really happy." (SOUNDBITE) (English) SHIMELIS GUDETA, BUSINESSMAN, SAYING: "I am so proud to be an Ethiopian at this time, at this juncture. Because our peacemaking prime minister has won the Nobel Peace Prize. Because he is making peace with our brothers in Eritrea. And he has undertaken various reforms in the country. Ethiopia was known for war and drought, but at this time, all eyes are on Ethiopia because we have won the Nobel Peace Prize. So I am proud to be an Ethiopian. Congratulations, Prime Minister Abiy." (SOUNDBITE) (Amharic) BIRHANU DEMISSIE, RESIDENT, SAYING: "It's great that he is such a positive thinker. He is steering us; I'm sure he will win other prizes - not only this one. Dr. Abiy is doing good work. And not only for our internal affairs - but also in making Ethiopia known in this way in the world." VARIOUS OF DOWNTOWN ADDIS ABABA
- Embargoed: 25th October 2019 13:01
- Keywords: Ethiopia Eritrea PM Abiy Ahmed Adiis Ababa Africa
- Location: ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
- City: ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
- Country: Ethiopia
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001B0NLPON
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Residents in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa said they were "proud" after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed won the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday (October 11).
Much of the capital was business as usual as the country heard the news about Abiy's prize.
Abiy, Africa's youngest leader, was given the prize for his peacemaking efforts which ended two decades of hostility with longtime enemy Eritrea.
Although he still faces big challenges, he has in under two years in power begun political and economic reforms that promise a better life for many in impoverished Ethiopia and restored ties with Eritrea that had been frozen since a 1998-2000 border war.
The Nobel Committee said Abiy had won the prestigious prize for "efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation, and in particular for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea."
It said the prize was meant to recognise "all the stakeholders working for peace and reconciliation in Ethiopia and in the East and Northeast African regions."
Abiy, now 43, took office in April 2018 after the resignation of Hailemariam Desalegn following three years of violent anti-government protests. The ruling coalition had already begun making conciliatory measures, including releasing many political prisoners, but Abiy speeded up the reforms.
His government has promised to liberalise the bureaucratic, state-controlled economy, unbanned many political parties and dismissed or arrested many senior officials accused of corruption, torture or murder.
(Production: Kumerra Gumechu, Ayenat Mersie) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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