The Norwegian Nobel Prize Committee announced Friday morning that it has chosen Ethiopian Prime Minister Abe Ahmed to win the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, outperforming some 300 nominees.
Nobel Peace Committee Chairperson Beret Rice Anderson said the award was given to Abe in recognition of "his efforts to reach peace and serve international cooperation, especially for his decisive initiative aimed at resolving the border dispute with Eritrea."
The young Ethiopian prime minister drew attention after he managed last year to end two decades of tension and wars between his country and neighboring Eritrea, and played a key role in resolving the crisis between the opposition and the military junta in Sudan.
Most speculation was that Abe Ahmed, or Swedish climate activist Greta Tonberg, could win, although it is difficult to predict because the commission has insisted 50 years ago that the 301 candidate list will not be made public.
Among the names of organizations and media circulated as potential candidates are US President Donald Trump for his efforts to improve relations with North Korea, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and Reporters Without Borders.