5:14 a.m. ET, October 11, 2019
This award was not given too early, says committee chair
"As Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed has sought to promote reconciliation, solidarity and social justice," says Berit Reiss-Andersen, the Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, at the press conference in Oslo.
"However, many challenges remain unresolved," she adds. "Some people will think this year's prize is being awarded too early."
But she says the committee "believes it is now that Abiy Ahmed's efforts deserve recognition and need encouragement." Reiss-Andersen adds that she hopes the prize can "strengthen Prime Minister Ahmed in his important work."
"Rome was not made in a day," she adds, and neither will peace and democratic development be achieved that quickly.