President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday congratulated Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, who was recognised by the Nobel Committee for his efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation.

Ahmed Ali was awarded the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea.

Ramaphosa explained that the peace achieved between these neighbouring States is an important enabler of the African Continental Free Trade Area and of the many objectives of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

“South Africa offers its warmest congratulations to Ahmed Ali on being awarded this prestigious prize. This award focuses global attention on our continent’s relentless progress towards peace and stability,” said Ramaphosa.

He added that the country shared in Ahmed Ali’s achievement and in the future of cooperation and good neighbourliness on which the peoples of Ethiopia and Eritrea have embarked.

Ramaphosa paid tribute to the governments and peoples of Ethiopia and Eritrea for making this achievement possible and for opening up new possibilities for cooperation, integration and development, not just on the east coast of the continent but across the continent.