Ethiopian PM to snub media after receiving Nobel Prize in Norway

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Reformist Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed will not field questions from the media next week after receiving Nobel Peace Prize, organisers have confirmed.

Mr Ahmed, who took over from Hailemariam Desalegn in 2018, was announced this year's winner of the lucrative Nobel prize.

Valued $1.2 million, the prize will be delivered next week on Wednesday in Oslo, a function which the Ethiopian PM will attend in person.

But organisers told Norwegian media on Thursday that 'we find it highly problematic that he's not interested in taking questions from the media'.

Organisers "had wished that Abiy Ahmed would have agreed to meet the Norwegian and international press," Olav Njoelstad said, one of the Nobel team member.

According to him, most Peace Prize winners have no problem putting aside three or four days for traditional Nobel events.

"We have been very clear about this and have clarified that there are several reasons we find this highly problematic," Njoelstad added.

Previous winners have often engaged in various public events in solidarity with the Nobel Peace Prize committee, days before the formal handing over.

Asked why Abiy wasn’t going along with the Nobel Institute’s program that’s planned long in advance, Njølstad said “it may have partly to do with the challenges he faces at home and with his religious beliefs and personal humility.”

Despite striking peace deal with neighboring Eritrea, a move that contributed to his victory, Abiy is currently struggling to contain ethnic violence in Ethiopia.

In October, at least 78 people died following clashes between the police and Oromiya youths, who support Jawar Mohammed, a critic of the PM.

Abiy's press secretary, Billene Seyoum, told The Associated Press that it is "quite challenging" for a head of state to dedicate many days to the extensive Nobel programme, particularly since "domestic issues are pressing and warrant attention."

Abiy will however, attend essential events in consultation with the Nobel Institute "to honour and respect the Nobel tradition."

At the same time, "the humble disposition of the prime minister, rooted in our cultural context, is not in alignment with the very public nature of the Nobel award," Billene said.

The secretary insisted that the PM is the most "humble and accessible leader throughout the world, who is keen to make progressive changes".

Abiy is also set meet with Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg and open a Nobel Prize exhibition during a private ceremony.

Despite the concerns from the Nobel team, Abiy is not the first person to snub such pre-planned events. In 2009, US President Barack Obama did not participate.

Besides the simmering tensions at home, Abiy's regime has been accused of meddling in the internal affairs of various states in Somalia.

Jubaland state has since written to the US, accusing Ethiopian non-AMISOM troops of 'illegal invasion' of her territory in Gedo region.

GAROWE ONLINE