Abiy Ahmed vs Cesar Gaviria

Abiy Ahmed was elected Prime Minister of Ethiopia by the ruling coalition, EPRDF. He succeeded Hailemariam Desalegn and immediately embarked on sweeping political reforms, including releasing political prisoners and opening up the political space.

Abiy signed a peace agreement with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, ending a 20-year border conflict. The deal led to the reopening of embassies, resumption of flights, and the awarding of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize to Abiy.

Abiy initiated economic liberalization, including partial privatization of state-owned enterprises like Ethio Telecom and Ethiopian Airlines. He also introduced a new investment law and sought to attract foreign capital, aiming to transform Ethiopia into a middle-income country.

Abiy ordered a military offensive against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) after a federal-state dispute. The Tigray War resulted in widespread atrocities, a humanitarian crisis, and the destabilization of northern Ethiopia, drawing international condemnation.

Facing military setbacks and international pressure, Abiy declared a unilateral ceasefire in Tigray. The ceasefire was initially rejected by the TPLF, but it eventually led to peace talks and the Pretoria Agreement in 2022, ending the two-year war.

César Gaviria became President of Colombia in 1990 after the assassination of candidate Luis Carlos Galán. His administration implemented sweeping economic reforms and continued the war against drug cartels.

Gaviria implemented a comprehensive economic opening, reducing tariffs, eliminating import licenses, and promoting foreign investment. The reforms integrated Colombia into global markets and boosted exports but also caused short-term economic dislocation.

Gaviria oversaw the drafting and adoption of a new constitution in 1991, replacing the 1886 constitution. The new charter expanded civil rights, created a Constitutional Court, and decentralized government, but also faced criticism for weakening state authority.

Gaviria negotiated the surrender of Pablo Escobar in 1991, who was imprisoned in a specially built facility, La Catedral. The deal was controversial as Escobar continued to run his criminal empire from prison and later escaped in 1992.

After his presidency, Gaviria became Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) in 1994. He served until 2004, focusing on democratic governance and human rights in the Americas.