Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for his work toward ending a two-decade-long conflict with neighboring Eritrea and opening up peace talks with local armed rebel groups.

Mr. Ahmed, a 43-year-old former army officer, has made reconciliation a priority since taking office in April 2018, aiming to provide an economic dividend that would help put Ethiopia, a nation of more than 100 million people, on a more prosperous path.

In July of that year, he signed a joint peace declaration with Eritrean President Isais Afwerki and committed to handing over disputed lands, including the border city of Badme. At home, Mr. Ahmed persuaded the Oromo Liberation Front to agree to take part in wide-ranging peace talks.