Nobel in hand, Ethiopian premier gets hero’s welcome

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

Thousands of dancing and cheering Ethiopians on Thursday turned out in the capital Addis Ababa to welcome Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed home from getting his Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway.

The crowd, lined up along the main road from Bole International Airport to the National Palace, the premier’s office and residence, chanted, “Abiy! Abiy!” One sign read: “Welcome home, our hero.”

Alemu Kassa, a civil servant who turned out to welcome Ahmed, told Anadolu Agency that the prime minister had made Ethiopia proud internationally.

“Once again he raised our confidence in his leadership and reform agenda, “he said.

Etaferu Abebe, who also was there to celebrate, said Ahmed was preaching, motivating, and laying the groundwork for peaceful and democratic life.

“I came to welcome him and also express my support for his efforts,” Abebe added.

After arriving, Ahmed told reporters that the award was a message that people in this part of the world are capable of making history in every aspect of our lives.

“I share the award with the people of Eritrea and the Horn of Africa,” he added.

Ahmed on Tuesday received the Nobel Prize for his efforts to resolve the border conflict with neighboring Eritrea and to forge regional cooperation.