The 2019 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in recognition of his peace efforts with Eritrea.

Ahmed belongs to Ethiopia's Full Gospel Believers' Church. Just three months into his term in 2018 he brokered a peace treaty with neighbouring Eritrea. The two countries had been in a 20-year border conflict.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee says, "Abiy Ahmed has initiated important reforms that give many citizens hope for a better life and a brighter future."

In a tweet, the Prime Minister says, "I am humbled by the decision of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. My deepest gratitude to all committed and working for peace. This award is for Ethiopia and the African continent. We shall prosper in peace!"

Premier reports that Ahmed has been previously recognized for his peace efforts. In 2018 he was given a special "peace and reconciliation" award by the Ethiopian Church for helping to reconcile two branches of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, which split in 1991 for political reasons.

After being elected to office in 2018 Ahmed told followers, "We have a country that is endowed with great bounty and wealth, but is starving for love."