At the end of last month, Pope Francis welcomed Africa’s most-watched young leader to the Vatican. Abiy Ahmed, prime minister of Ethiopia, aged only 42, took office just under a year ago. He has already initiated a dramatic programme of economic and political reforms. Most European politicians could only dream of his current popularity. How many of them have their faces printed on their cheering fans’ Technicoloured T-shirts? “Abiymania” has been sweeping Ethiopia.

The most notable achievement of Abiy’s first few months in office was something Francis has also earnestly desired. Over the last 20 years, the border conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia has caused thousands of casualties. Soon after taking office, Abiy at last implemented a peace deal. So far the peace is holding.