Samia Suluhu, Abiy Ahmed make list of Time’s 100 Most Influential People

Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, writing for Time, describes Ms. Suluhu as a leader whose presence at Tanzania’s helm has opened a door for dialogue between political rivals towards rebuilding trust in the democratic system.

“Efforts have been made to increase press freedom, and women and girls have a new role model,” writes Ms. Sirleaf. 

Time also commends President Suluhu, who has led the East African state since March last year, for her “tonic” leadership style.

Prime Minister Ahmed is on the other hand recognized for his role in mitigating the strained relations his country has with the neighbouring Eritrea which have resulted in a civil war.

“Abiy’s peace treaty with Eritrean dictator Isaias Afwerki inspired hopes for a transformed region, but also planted the seeds for an Ethiopian civil war,” the magazine says of the Nobel Laureate.

“In March, he declared a truce to allow humanitarian access to the region, which had been blocked for months. But like a previous “humanitarian truce” in June 2021, it appears to be largely strategic, and little real aid has arrived.”

Suluhu and Ahmed are recognized in the ‘Leaders’ category alongside renowned global personalities as US president Joe Biden, his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and American attorney Kentanji Brown Jackson, among others.

On Putin and Zelensky, Time CEO and editor-in-chief Edward Felsenthal writes: “Influence, of course, may be for good or for ill — a dichotomy never more visible than in this year’s Time 100, which includes both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky.”

“The Russian dictator behind a brutal war, and his foe, the Ukrainian President, whose leadership has made him a rare heroic figure in our divisive time.” 

President Biden also gives commentary on the matter, saying “the people of Ukraine have a leader worthy of their bravery and resilience… The nations of the free world are more united, more determined, and more purposeful than at any point in recent memory to support Ukraine.”

This year's list features 49 women, including singer Mary J. Blige, TV personality and business mogul Oprah Winfrey, singer Adele, actress Sarah Jessica Parker, Zendaya and others.¬¬¬¬¬¬¬