The winner of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize says his horrifying experiences as a young Ethiopian soldier fueled his determination to seek an end to the long conflict with a neighboring country.
Last Friday, 10/11/19, Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopian prime minister was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his relentless pursuit of democratic reforms and regional peacemaking efforts that ultimately led to the end of a standoff with Eritrea. Congresswoman Karen Bass, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus(CBC) issued the following statement on behalf of the CBC:
On Tuesday, March 5, Representative Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, and Representatives Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) returned from a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to Ethiopia and Eritrea. The goal of the visit was to support regional peace and security in the Horn of Africa and to encourage countries to place human rights at the center of the reforms.
In Ethiopia, reforms are already underway since the installation last year of 42 year old Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Women have been named to some of the government’s key positions – president, chief justice and half of all ministers. Thousands of political prisoners and journalists have been freed while senior officials accused of human rights abuses and corruption no longer enjoys immunity.
This month, the 41 year old Ethiopian leader landed in the United States where he met with thousands of his countrymen and women and reiterated his message of love and unity.
Rwanda will spend 5.5 billion Rwandan francs ($6.5 million). With 6.8 million registered voters, that’s less than a dollar per vote