Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize has been ushered in by praise for his efforts in ending two decades of hostility with neighbouring Eritrea and initiating broad domestic changes - but also calls to tackle outstanding challenges and further enhance reforms.
Bestowing the award on Friday, Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee Berit Reiss-Andersen said Abiy had "reached out his hand" to formalise a peace process with Eritrea and given many Ethiopians a "better life and brighter future".
Africa's youngest leader, the 43-year-old sparked an historic rapprochement with Eritrea soon after coming to power in April last year, restoring ties that had been frozen since a 1998-2000 border war. He also helped mediate a maritime territory dispute between Kenya and Somalia and has been a key part of efforts to bring together the leaders of Sudan and South Sudan for talks.
Domestically, the prime minister has introduced a series of sweeping political and economic adjustments, including granting amnesty to thousands of political prisoners, discontinuing media censorship and dismissing several high-profile figures suspected to be guilty of corruption.
Reflecting on Abiy's efforts, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said peace efforts between Ethiopia and Eritrea had inspired hopes of regional "security and stability" and that the prime minister's leadership had "set a wonderful example for others in and beyond Africa looking to overcome resistance from the past and put people first".
'Great pride'
As further praise poured in - African Union (AU) chief Moussa Faki described Abiy's award as a source of "great pride" - the prime minister's office released a statement describing the recognition as "a collective win for Ethiopians, and a call to strengthen our resolve in making Ethiopia ... a prosperous nation for all".