President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated 43-year-old Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopian Prime Minister and winner of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize.
Igbere TV had reported that Ahmed was on Friday conferred with the award for helping put an end to his country’s 20-year war with Eritrea.
Announcing the prize in Oslo, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said Ahmed’s “efforts deserve recognition and need encouragement.”
The conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea over disputed border territory came at a huge financial and humanitarian cost for both countries.
Reacting to the development in a post sighted late afternoon by Igbere TV on his verified Facebook page, President Buhari wrote;
“I congratulate Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who was today declared winner of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for his remarkable work to end the 20-year conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea. This recognition is a good sign for peace processes within countries and across borders in Africa.
“I believe that the development of Africa is strongly tied to peaceful co-existence, and to deliberate efforts by governments and citizens to sustain harmony within and between countries. We must do more in collaboration and partnership for peace across the continent.
“It is my hope and prayer that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s global recognition will spur more interest in issues of peace in Africa, and bring beneficial outcomes to the entire continent.”
