Abiy Ahmed

Abiy Ahmed was appointed as the Prime Minister of Ethiopia on April 2, 2018, following the resignation of Hailemariam Desalegn. His accession to the position marked a significant political shift in the country, as he became the first Oromo leader to become Prime Minister. Abiy's rapid rise was spurred by protests and demands for political reform by Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, the Oromo, and other groups seeking change after years of authoritarian rule.

On June 5, 2018, Ethiopia's government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, announced it would fully accept the terms of a peace agreement with Eritrea. This declaration effectively ended a 20-year-long state of war between the two nations. Abiy's commitment to peace with Eritrea was part of his broader agenda to reform Ethiopia and stabilize the region, bringing about a historic rapprochement between the neighboring countries.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on October 10, 2019, recognizing his efforts in achieving peace with Eritrea. The Norwegian Nobel Committee highlighted his initiative to resolve the border conflict and establish cordial relations with Eritrea. The prize brought international recognition to Abiy's contributions to regional stability and his domestic reforms aimed at improving human rights and promoting democratic ideals in Ethiopia.

On October 23, 2019, the Ethiopian government led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed approved a referendum to create a new regional state within Ethiopia for the Sidama people. This decision came after years of demands for autonomous governance by the Sidama ethnic group. The referendum was a part of Abiy's domestic reform policies aiming to address ethnic tensions and promote federalism within Ethiopia, allowing regions self-determination under the Ethiopian constitution.

The conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia began on November 4, 2020, when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered a military offensive against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The operation came after accusations of attacks on federal military bases by the TPLF. This civil war caused a significant humanitarian crisis and attracted international concern, with calls for a ceasefire and dialogue. The conflict marked a major upheaval in Abiy's governance, challenging his peace-building credentials.

Ethiopia held its postponed general elections on June 21, 2021, amidst the ongoing conflict in Tigray. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's Prosperity Party won a majority of the parliamentary seats, securing his position as the leader of the country. However, the elections were marked by controversy due to the boycott by opposition groups and the inability to vote in conflict-affected regions. The election results reinforced Abiy's leadership, but also highlighted Ethiopia's political challenges.

On October 4, 2021, Abiy Ahmed was sworn in for a second term as Prime Minister of Ethiopia after his party's victory in the general election. The swearing-in ceremony was held amid international scrutiny over the Tigray conflict and human rights concerns. In his inaugural speech, Abiy called for unity and peace throughout Ethiopia and vowed to continue his reform agenda, although the domestic and international challenges facing his administration remained significant.

On November 2, 2022, a peace agreement was signed between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) to end the two-year conflict in the Tigray region. The agreement, facilitated by the African Union, was brokered in Pretoria, South Africa, and aimed to lay the groundwork for humanitarian access and political dialogue. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's administration committed to enforcing the terms of peace to stabilize the region and begin the process of national healing.

In February 2023, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government announced a truce to allow humanitarian aid into the war-torn Tigray region. The truce was part of ongoing peace efforts following the signing of the 2022 peace deal. This initiative aimed to provide much-needed relief to the affected population and restore basic services disrupted by the conflict. International observers welcomed the truce as a positive step towards lasting peace and reconciliation in Ethiopia.

The Ethiopian government initiated a transitional justice process on March 31, 2023, to address the human rights abuses that occurred during the Tigray conflict. Under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's leadership, the process aimed at accountability, reconciliation, and justice for victims. This initiative involved consultations with various stakeholders, including victims' groups and international organizations, to build a comprehensive plan for addressing past atrocities and preventing future ones.