Mussie Hailu, URI African Continental Coordinator, with H.E. Mr. Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti
PRESS RELEASE - URI AFRICA PRESENTS ITS PEACE AWARD TO THE PRESIDENT OF DJIBOUTI
The award ceremony took place at the state house in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Djibouti, other senior government officials, and Mr. Mohamoud Ahmed, sub-regional coordinator of URI Horn of Africa.
After handing over the award to the President, Ambassador Mussie Hailu, Regional Director of United Religions Initiative Africa and representative of URI to the African Union and the UN office in Africa, conducted an interview with journalists from different media houses in the country about the Africa Peace Award program.
Answering the journalists as to why URI Africa presented the Africa Peace Award to the president of Djibouti, Amb. Mussie said, “This Prestigious Africa Peace Award of URI Africa is presented to the President of the Republic of Djibouti in appreciation and acknowledgment of the President’s leadership in promoting peaceful co-existence, national unity, harmony, and for setting a good example in facilitating constructive political dialogue in Djibouti.” He further said, “The award is also in recognition of the contributions of the Republic of Djibouti in exerting all the effort to bring peace and stability in Somalia, and for the role played by the President in the process of re-establishment of sovereign government in Somalia.”
“The award is also in acknowledgment of the President’s leadership in the fight against terrorism, promoting peace and security in the region, for his commitment to lowering unemployment, empowering women & girls, and promoting increased access to education, health services, and improving reliable access to energy and potable water in Djibouti,” he adds.
On the occasion of the award ceremony, URI Africa congratulates the people, government and President of the Republic of Djibouti on Djibouti’s commitment and leadership in regional bodies, including as host to and co-founder of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). URI Africa also offers congratulations for Djibouti’s participation in the African Union Peace Keeping mission in Somalia, aimed at defeating al-Shabaab. It also offers congratulations for organizing a number of reconciliation conferences in support of peacemaking efforts in Somalia. URI Africa also acknowledges Djibouti`s support for the multinational efforts to counter piracy off the coast of Somalia.
URI Africa established the Africa Peace Award to recognize the committed, effective leadership that is currently being exercised to bring sustainable peace, development, democracy, good leadership, reconciliation, solidarity, respect to universal declaration of human rights, alleviation of poverty, and preservation of the environment, as well as to promote interfaith harmony and co-existence among different ethnics groups and cultures. The award helps to create role models of peace-builders throughout Africa.
URI-Africa is cultivating peaceful co-existence among different religions and cultures through its 157 member organizations in over 28 African countries by engaging people to bridge religious and cultural differences and work together for the good of their communities and the world.
URI Africa’s vision is to see a united, prosperous, and peaceful Africa where followers of different religions live together in harmony and respect each other based on the teaching of the Golden Rule which says, “Treat others the way you want to be treated.”
May Peace Prevail on Earth!
