Abiy Ahmed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Abiy Ahmed
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አብይ አሕመድ
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Abiy in 2018
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| Prime Minister of Ethiopia | |
| Assumed office 2 April 2018 |
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| President | |
| Deputy |
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| Preceded by | Hailemariam Desalegn |
| 1st President of the Prosperity Party | |
| Assumed office 1 December 2019 |
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| Deputy |
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| Preceded by | Party established |
| 3rd Chairman of the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front | |
| In office 27 March 2018 – 1 December 2019 |
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| Deputy | Demeke Mekonnen |
| Preceded by | Hailemariam Desalegn |
| Succeeded by | Party abolished |
| Leader of the Oromo Democratic Party | |
| In office 22 February 2018 – 1 December 2019 |
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| Deputy | Lemma Megersa |
| Preceded by | Lemma Megersa |
| Succeeded by | Post abolished |
| Minister of Science and Technology | |
| In office 6 October 2015 – 1 November 2016 |
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| Prime Minister | Hailemariam Desalegn |
| Preceded by | Demitu Hambisa |
| Succeeded by | Getahun Mekuria |
| Director General of the Information Network Security Agency | |
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Acting
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| In office 2008–2015 |
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| Preceded by | Teklebirhan Woldearegay |
| Succeeded by | Temesgen Tiruneh |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Abiy Ahmed Ali
15 August 1976 Beshasha, Kaffa Province, Ethiopia |
| Political party | Prosperity Party |
| Other political affiliations |
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| Spouse | Zinash Tayachew |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Microlink Information Technology College (BA) University of Greenwich (MA) Leadstar College of Management (MBA) Addis Ababa University (PhD) |
| Awards | Nobel Peace Prize (2019) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Ethiopia |
| Branch/service | Ethiopian Army |
| Years of service | 1991–2010 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | Army Signals Corps |
| Commands | Information Network Security Agency |
| Battles/wars |
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Abiy Ahmed Ali (Oromo: Abiyi Ahmed Alii; Amharic: ዐብይ አሕመድ ዐሊ; born 15 August 1976) is a well-known Ethiopian politician. He has been the Prime Minister of Ethiopia since 2018 and leads the Prosperity Party. In 2019, he received the Nobel Peace Prize. This award was given to him for his efforts to bring peace and cooperation between countries, especially for helping to end the border conflict with neighboring Eritrea. Abiy was also the first person from the Oromo people to lead the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), a group that governed Ethiopia for 28 years.
In 2020, parliamentary elections were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision caused some debate. An election was later held in 2021. The African Union saw this election as a positive step for Ethiopia's democracy.
However, during 2020, there were growing tensions between different ethnic and political groups. This led to a two-year conflict known as the Tigray War. Since 2019, Ethiopia has faced challenges with human rights and conflicts in some regions.
Contents
Personal Life and Background
Early Life and Family
Abiy Ahmed was born in 1976 in a small town called Beshasha, Ethiopia. His father was a Muslim Oromo farmer, and his mother was a Christian Oromo. Abiy was the youngest of his mother's six children and his father's thirteenth child.
His childhood name was Abiyot, which means "Revolution." He was always very keen on learning and encouraged others to get an education too. Abiy is married to Zinash Tayachew, and they have three daughters and one adopted son. He can speak Oromo, Amharic, Tigrinya, and English. He also enjoys staying fit, believing it helps with mental health.
His Faith
Abiy is a Pentecostal Christian. He grew up in a family with different religions, as his father was Muslim and his mother was Christian. Abiy and his family regularly attend church. His wife, Zinash Tayachew, is also a Christian and sings gospel music in her church.
Education Journey
Abiy studied a lot throughout his life.
- He earned his first degree in computer engineering from Microlink Information Technology College in Addis Ababa in 2009.
- In 2011, he received a Master of Arts in transformational leadership from Greenwich University in London.
- He also earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2013 from Leadstar College of Management and Leadership.
- In 2017, he completed his PhD at Addis Ababa University. His PhD research focused on how social connections help resolve conflicts between different religious groups in Ethiopia.
Military Service
Abiy joined the armed forces in 1991 when he was just 14 years old. He fought against the government at that time. He was part of the Oromo People's Democratic Organization (OPDO), which was a small group within a larger army. He quickly learned the Tigrinya language, which helped him advance in his military career.
After the old government fell, he received formal military training. In 1995, he was sent to Kigali, Rwanda, as part of a United Nations mission after the Rwandan genocide. During the Eritrean–Ethiopian War (1998-2000), he led an intelligence team.
Later, he helped calm serious religious clashes in his hometown of Beshasha. He worked to bring peace between Muslims and Christians. In 2006, he helped start the Information Network Security Agency (INSA) and worked there for several years. He reached the rank of Lieutenant colonel before leaving the military in 2010 to become a politician.
Political Journey
Becoming a Member of Parliament
Abiy began his political career with the Oromo Democratic Party (ODP). This party was powerful in the Oromia Region and part of the ruling coalition in Ethiopia. He quickly rose through the ranks. In 2010, he was elected to the House of Peoples' Representatives, which is like Ethiopia's parliament.
During his time in parliament, he continued his efforts to promote peace between religious groups. He helped create a "Religious Forum for Peace" to find lasting solutions for peaceful community interactions. In 2014, he became the director-general of the Science and Technology Information Center (STIC). The next year, he was re-elected to parliament.
Rising to Leadership
From 2015, Abiy became a key figure in fighting against illegal land grabbing in the Oromia Region. This struggle brought him into the public eye and helped his political career.
In October 2015, he became the Minister of Science and Technology, a role he held for a year. From 2016, he served as Deputy President of the Oromia Region. He also worked on economic development, youth employment, and helping people displaced from the Somali Region.
By early 2018, Abiy was seen as one of the most popular politicians in Ethiopia. People wanted big changes and more freedom. He believed in open and respectful discussions to move the country forward.
Becoming Prime Minister
In February 2018, the Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, resigned. This led to a competition to choose the next leader of the ruling coalition, the EPRDF. The leader of this coalition would almost certainly become the next Prime Minister.
Abiy Ahmed was a strong candidate. On 27 March 2018, he was chosen as the chairman of the EPRDF. A few days later, on 2 April 2018, Abiy Ahmed was officially sworn in as the Prime Minister of Ethiopia by the parliament.
Prime Minister of Ethiopia
When Abiy became Prime Minister, he promised many changes. He wanted to unite Ethiopia, make peace with Eritrea, and work with political groups both inside and outside the country. His speech was very well received, and many Ethiopians felt hopeful.
Changes at Home
Since 2018, Abiy's government has released thousands of political prisoners. They also opened up the country's political system. For example, in May 2018, over 7,600 prisoners were pardoned in the Oromo region. He also dropped charges against some exiled opposition leaders and invited them to return to Ethiopia.
His government also announced plans to change the country's anti-terrorism law, which many saw as unfair. In June 2018, he ended the state of emergency early, saying the situation in the country had improved. He argued that policies that led to unfair arrests and torture were wrong.
These quick changes caused some disagreements within the ruling coalition. Some felt he was moving "too much too fast."
Openness and Media
In 2018, Abiy invited media outlets that had been forced to leave Ethiopia to return. However, later, some international human rights groups reported that his government had arrested journalists and closed some media outlets.
Economic Changes
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In June 2018, the government announced big plans to sell parts of state-owned businesses and open up key economic areas to private companies. This was a major shift for Ethiopia.
Industries like telecommunications, aviation, electricity, and logistics, which were controlled by the state, would now be open to private competition. Shares in companies like Ethiopian Airlines would be offered to investors. The government would still keep a majority share in important companies. This move aimed to improve Ethiopia's finances and reduce its debt.
Abiy also announced plans to create an Ethiopian stock exchange. At the time, Ethiopia was the largest country without one.
Foreign Relations
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Abiy has traveled to many countries to strengthen Ethiopia's relationships.
- In May 2018, he visited Saudi Arabia and helped secure the release of Ethiopian prisoners.
- In June 2018, he met with the Egyptian President and helped arrange peace talks between leaders in South Sudan.
- He has also met with leaders from the United States, France, Italy, Germany, and Russia.
Access to Ports
Since becoming Prime Minister, Abiy has worked to get Ethiopia, which is a landlocked country, better access to ports in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia signed agreements to have a share in ports in Somaliland, Djibouti, and Sudan. These agreements help Ethiopia trade more easily.
The possibility of peace with Eritrea also means Ethiopia could use the ports of Massawa and Asseb again. This would greatly reduce Ethiopia's reliance on Djibouti's port.
Peace with Eritrea
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Abiy made a big step towards peace with Eritrea. In June 2018, his government agreed to hand over the disputed border town of Badme to Eritrea. This followed an agreement from 2000 that had not been fully put into action.
On 8 July 2018, Abiy met with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki in Eritrea. This was the first time an Ethiopian leader had met with an Eritrean leader in over two decades. They signed a "Joint Declaration of Peace and Friendship," ending the long-standing tensions. They agreed to restart diplomatic relations, reopen communication, road, and air links, and allow Ethiopia to use Eritrean ports. For these efforts, Abiy was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019.
However, some people say that the peace agreement has not been fully carried out. In October 2023, Abiy mentioned that Eritrea's separation from Ethiopia in 1993 was a mistake, saying Ethiopia needs direct access to the Red Sea.
Relationship with Egypt
Ethiopia and Egypt have had disagreements over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile River. Abiy has stated that Ethiopia will continue building the dam.
Promoting Religious Harmony
Ethiopia has many different religious groups, mainly Christians and Muslims. There were often conflicts between and within these groups. In 2018, Abiy received a special "peace and reconciliation" award from the Ethiopian Church for helping to unite different parts of the church.
Military Changes
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In June 2018, Abiy announced plans to improve the military and make it more professional. He also suggested that Ethiopia should rebuild its navy, which was dissolved in 1996 after Eritrea became independent. This idea was popular with many Ethiopians who missed having a coastline.
He also changed many top security officials in June 2018, replacing the Chief of Staff and other important leaders.
Grenade Attack at Rally
On 23 June 2018, a large peaceful rally was held in Addis Ababa to support Abiy. After he finished speaking, a grenade was thrown near where he was sitting. Two people died, and over 165 were injured. Abiy was unharmed and described it as an attempt by those who do not want to see Ethiopia united.
Cabinet Changes
In October 2018, Abiy proposed reducing the number of government ministries from 28 to 20. He also made history by appointing women to half of the cabinet positions. This included the first female president, Sahle-Work Zewde, and the first female Minister of Defense, Aisha Mohammed Mussa.
Internet Access
Organizations like Human Rights Watch have reported that internet shutdowns have become more common in Ethiopia under Abiy's leadership. These shutdowns are often linked to political events or unrest.
Political Party Reform
In November 2019, the ruling coalition, EPRDF, formed a new party called the Prosperity Party. This new party combined three of the four main parties from the EPRDF and five other smaller parties. Abiy believes this new party will help strengthen a federal system that respects all Ethiopians.
Internal Conflicts
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Abiy's reforms led to some disagreements, especially with members of the TPLF party. Here are some of the conflicts that happened during his time as Prime Minister:
Amhara Region Conflict
In June 2019, there was an attempted coup in the Amhara Region. The President of the Amhara Region was killed, as well as the Chief of the General Staff of the Ethiopian military. The Prime Minister's Office accused a general of leading the plot, and he was later killed by police.
Metekel Zone Conflict
Starting in June 2019, there were clashes in the Metekel Zone of the Benishangul-Gumuz Region. These conflicts involved militias from the Gumuz people attacking people from other ethnic groups.
October 2019 Clashes
In October 2019, an Ethiopian activist named Jawar Mohammed claimed police tried to arrest him. This led to protests and clashes in Addis Ababa and other cities.
Hachalu Hundessa Riots
The murder of popular Oromo singer Hachalu Hundessa in June 2020 led to widespread unrest and riots across the Oromia Region and Addis Ababa. Sadly, these riots resulted in many deaths.
Tigray War
In November 2020, a major armed conflict began in the Tigray Region. This happened after TPLF forces attacked military headquarters. The Ethiopian military, supported by Eritrean and Amhara forces, fought against the TPLF. The conflict started after the TPLF held its own regional elections, which the central government saw as against the constitution.
The Ethiopian government announced in November 2020 that they had captured Mekelle, the capital of Tigray. However, reports suggest that fighting continued. The United Nations reported that millions of children were cut off from aid due to the conflict.
There have been many reports of human rights abuses during the war. Some international figures have called for Abiy's Nobel Peace Prize to be reconsidered because of the conflict. Researchers estimate that hundreds of thousands of people died due to the war and famine by late 2022.
War in Amhara
In April 2023, disagreements grew between the Ethiopian federal government and Amhara regional forces, especially the Fano militia. The army tried to disarm regional forces, leading to protests and clashes. The conflict spread, and a six-month state of emergency was declared in August 2023. Sadly, many civilians were killed or injured in these clashes.
Political Views
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Abiy has been described as a "liberal populist," meaning he supports ideas that are popular with many people and aims for more freedom. Some see him as someone who uses opportunities to gain power, while others see him as a liberal democrat.
Awards and Recognition
Abiy Ahmed has received many awards for his work:
- In 2018, he received the Grand Master of the Most Excellent Order of the Pearl of Africa from Uganda.
- He was given the Order of the Zayed Medal by the UAE Crown Prince in 2018.
- The Ethiopian Orthodox Church gave him a High Rank Peace Award in 2018.
- He received the Order of King Abdulaziz from Saudi Arabia in 2018.
- He was named one of the "100 Most Influential Africans of 2018" by New African magazine.
- Time magazine included him in their "100 Most Influential People 2018."
- He won the African Excellence Award for Gender from the African Union in 2019.
- In 2019, he was awarded the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize by UNESCO.
- The Ethiopian Muslim Community gave him a Peace Award for helping unite Ethiopian Muslims in 2019.
- Most notably, he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019.
- In 2022, he received the Global Islamic Finance Award.
- In 2022, he received the Outstanding African Leadership Award for his Green Legacy Initiative.
- In 2024, he received the FAO Agricola Medal from the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization.
See Also
In Spanish: Abiy Ahmed Ali para niños
Images for kids
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Abiy in 2018
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Speaking at the Green Legacy Initiative, Addis Ababa, June 21, 2024
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Abiy and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin in May 2018
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Abiy with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in February 2020
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Abiy with British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on 8 December 2022
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Abiy with Italian President Sergio Mattarella on 6 February 2023
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Abiy with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, 23 July 2023
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Abiy with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Addis Ababa on 15 March 2023
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Abiy with military commanders in February 2019
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Abiy with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 15th BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, 24 August 2023
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Abiy with Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Rwanda, 7 April 2024
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Abiy at the 16th BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, 23 October 2024
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