Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Mr Abiy Ahmed - Statement by Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs (11 October 2019)

I commend the awarding of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize to the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Mr Abiy Ahmed.

This prize is a testimony to the faultless commitment to freedom and pluralism in Ethiopia and to peace in the Horn of Africa. The momentum for peace that he launched started an unprecedented process of liberalization and democratization in Ethiopia as well as a historical reconciliation with Eritrea in summer 2018. His commitment alongside the mediation of the African Union also made it possible to sign an agreement on transition in Sudan last August.

France supports Abiy Ahmed’s reform policy and his commitment to peace which bring positive momentum for the entire African continent, as shown by the French President’s visit to Ethiopia on 12 and 13 March 2019.