Nobel Peace Prize Winner is Abiy Ahmed, an Ethiopian PM
Reportedly the son of poor villagers, a spy boss,
and now the man behind dizzying attempts to reform Africa's fastest-growing
economy and heal wounds with Ethiopia's neighbors, Abiy
Reportedly within just six months of his swearing-in, Abiy made peace with bitter foe Eritrea, released dissidents from jail, apologized for state brutality, and welcomed home exiled armed groups branded "terrorists" by his predecessors. Recently he has turned to fleshing out his vision for the economy while laying the groundwork for elections currently scheduled to take place next May, but analysts fret that his policies are, simultaneously, too much too fast for the political old guard, and too little too late for the country's angry youth, whose protests swept him to power.
Moreover despite the challenges, Abiy's allies predict his deep well of personal ambition will prompt him to keep swinging big. Apparently Tareq Sabt, a businessman and friend of Abiy's, says one of the first things that struck him when they met was the prime minister's drive: "I always said to friends, when this guy comes to power, you'll see a lot of change in Ethiopia."