A doctor from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Denis Mukwege has been named winner of the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize.
The gynecologist on Friday was awarded for how he treats victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He won the prize together with Iraq’s Nadia Murad, a Yazidi human rights activist and survivor of sexual slavery.
The peace prize to be presented in Oslo on December 10, is worth $1 million.
The Nobel committee chair, Berit Reiss-Andersen said the two winners have been “crucial” in fighting sexual violence.
She said “They have treated thousands of victims of assaults in a long-lasting civil war that has cost the lives of thousands of Congolese”.
BREAKING NEWS:
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2018 to Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict. #NobelPrize #NobelPeacePrize pic.twitter.com/LaICSbQXWM— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 5, 2018
Some 331 individuals and organisations were nominated for the peace award this year.
Denis Mukwege’s basic principle is that “justice is everyone’s business”. The 2018 Peace Laureate is the foremost, most unifying symbol, both nationally and internationally, of the struggle to end sexual violence in war and armed conflicts. @DenisMukwege#NobelPrize pic.twitter.com/KSzecKSkUc
— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 5, 2018
Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo has created insecurity. Many have fled their homes with girls and women becoming victims of sexual violence.
The physician Denis Mukwege, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, has spent large parts of his adult life helping the victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Dr. Mukwege and his staff have treated thousands of patients who have fallen victim to such assaults. pic.twitter.com/9CrNWfj7zu
— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 5, 2018
Mukwege reacts to prize
Dr. Mukwege told the Nobel committee from the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo that he was in the operating theatre when he heard the news.
He said “It was when I was operating and I heard people start to cry and it was so, so surprising.
“I can see in the face of many women how they are happy to be recognised and this is really so touching.”
Government reaction
Government spokesperson Lambert Mende told AFP that the “government congratulates Dr Denis Mukwege for the very important work he does, although there are often disagreements between us.
“We have had differences with [him] every time that he tried to politicise his work which however is important from a humanitarian standpoint. But now, we are satisfied with the Nobel Academy’s recognition of the work of a compatriot.”
Source: Africafeeds.com
