Ababa, Ethiopia – 9 October, 2015: The African Union Commission Chairperson, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has expressed heartfelt congratulations to the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize winners, the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet. The Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Kaci Kullman Five, made the announcement on Friday 9 October 2015.

The Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet, a pro-democracy group which comprises a partnership among four distinct civic society organisations: The Tunisian Organisation for Industry, Trade and Handicrafts, The Tunisian Order of Lawyers, The Tunisian General Labour Union and The Tunisian Human Rights League, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace for their critical contributions towards democracy in the country in the wake of the 2010/11 Arab Springs.

The network of four organisations “established an alternative, peaceful political process at a time when the country was on the brink of civil war", a press release by the Norwegian Nobel Committee stated. The Committee also stressed that the prize has been awarded to the Quartet and not to the member organizations individually.

“Congratulations to the National Dialogue Quartet, the people and Government of Tunisia, who all make Africa proud.” Dr. Dlamini Zuma applauded the efforts of the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet, adding that, “the Quartet has set a clear example for civil society organizations and peaceful movements across the continent”.

“Tunisia has become a beacon of hope for peace in Africa, having managed to return to peace after years of violent struggle and unrest. I am very confident that peace will finally prevail on the continent, so we can focus on the necessary steps towards the implementation and realization of Agenda 2063 – The Africa We Want.” The AU Commission Chairperson also said.

JEE/

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