History
Historical Events
Kingdom of Axum became a trading power in the 2nd century AD. After a while Christianity became the official religion of the Kingdom of Axum in 300 AD. The holy book of Ethiopia the Kebra Negast got published in 1300. In 1818-68 Lij Kasa conquered Tigray and Amhara. The emperors becomes Tewodros II in 1855 but 13 years later commits suicide to avoid capture because he was defeated by the British force. The most severe drought strikes and is triggered by cattle plague and they called the drought Kefu Qan in 1888-92. Italy Invades Ethiopia in 1895 which leads them to the battle of Adwa and Ethiopia defeats Italy and this is the first time an African country defeated a European country for ownership of land in 1896.
Haile Selassie was crowned emperor in 1930 and he abolishes slavery and Ethiopia begins to modernise and coffee becomes and major crop and export. In 1936, Italy captured Addis Ababa so Haile Selassie fled and the king of Italy became Emperor of Ethiopia combined with Italy, Somaliland and became Italian East Africa ( IEA ). In 1941, whilst Italy was occupying Ethiopia, Haile Selassie formed an alliance with Britain and they managed to drive Italy out of Addis Ababa.
In 1952, the United Nations joined Eritrea with Ethiopia. Then in 1963, the first organisation of the AU was formed in Addis Ababa. In 1973 famine causes 200 000 people to die. The military pushes Haile Selassie out and ends the monarchy and a harsh socialist is established, Sadly in 1975 Haile Selassie dies in custody. In 1978, Somali forces are defeated with the help of the soviet union and Cuba. The new constitution elected Mengistu in 1987. Finally, Ethiopia and Somalia sign a peace treaty. In 1991, Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front captures Addis Ababa, forcing Mengistu to flee the country; Eritrea establishes its own provisional government pending a referendum on independence. Haile Selassie was discovered under a palace toilet. In 1993, Eritrea became an independent country and the new constitution divided Ethiopia into ethnically based regions.
Haile Selassie was crowned emperor in 1930 and he abolishes slavery and Ethiopia begins to modernise and coffee becomes and major crop and export. In 1936, Italy captured Addis Ababa so Haile Selassie fled and the king of Italy became Emperor of Ethiopia combined with Italy, Somaliland and became Italian East Africa ( IEA ). In 1941, whilst Italy was occupying Ethiopia, Haile Selassie formed an alliance with Britain and they managed to drive Italy out of Addis Ababa.
In 1952, the United Nations joined Eritrea with Ethiopia. Then in 1963, the first organisation of the AU was formed in Addis Ababa. In 1973 famine causes 200 000 people to die. The military pushes Haile Selassie out and ends the monarchy and a harsh socialist is established, Sadly in 1975 Haile Selassie dies in custody. In 1978, Somali forces are defeated with the help of the soviet union and Cuba. The new constitution elected Mengistu in 1987. Finally, Ethiopia and Somalia sign a peace treaty. In 1991, Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front captures Addis Ababa, forcing Mengistu to flee the country; Eritrea establishes its own provisional government pending a referendum on independence. Haile Selassie was discovered under a palace toilet. In 1993, Eritrea became an independent country and the new constitution divided Ethiopia into ethnically based regions.
Ethiopian Disputes
It all then started when the Ethiopian-Eritrean border erupted into armed clashes and this turned into a full scale war and costed 70 000 lives and finally a peace agreement eventually reached. Ethiopia and Eritrea signed a ceasefire agreement which provided a UN observer force to monitor the truce and supervise the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Eritrean territory. They signed a peace agreement in Algeria, ending two years of conflict.
Ethiopia and Eritrea accepted a new common border, drawn up by an independent commission, though both sides then lay claim to the town of Badme. Ethiopia says the ruling is unacceptable. Nearly 200 killed in ethnic clashes in isolated western region of Gambella. Tens of thousands flee the area. They then started the resettlement programme to move more than two million people away from parched, over-worked highlands.
First section of Axum obelisk, looted by Italy in 1937, is returned to Ethiopia from Rome. Disputed multi-party elections lead to violent protests over months. Election re-runs in more than 30 seats: Officials say the ruling party gains enough seats to form a government. International commission, based in The Hague, rules that Eritrea broke international law when it attacked Ethiopia in 1998. More than 80 people, including journalists and many opposition leaders, are charged with treason and genocide over November's deadly clashes.
Six political parties and armed groups form an opposition alliance, the Alliance for Freedom and Democracy, at a meeting in the Netherlands. Several bomb blasts hit Addis Ababa. No organisation claims responsibility. Several hundred people are feared to have died and thousands are left homeless as floods hits the north, south and east. Ethiopia denies that its troops have crossed into Somalia to support the transitional government in Baidoa.
War of words between Ethiopia and Islamists controlling much of Somalia. Prime Minister Meles says Ethiopia was "technically" at war with the Islamists because they had declared holy war on his country. UN report says several countries - including Ethiopia - have been violating a 1992 arms embargo on Somalia by supplying arms to the interim government there.
Peace agreement signed between Somali government and rebels provides for withdrawal of Ethiopian troops within 120 days. UN Security Council votes unanimously to end UN peacekeeping mission monitoring disputed border between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Celebrations held to mark completion of reassembly of 1700-year-old Axum Obelisk, looted in 1937 during the Italian conquest and returned by Italy in three parts after 2005.
Ethiopia formally withdraws forces from Somalia. Ethiopia admits to "reconnaissance missions" in Somalia, but denies re-deploying troops there. Ethiopia, Eritrea ordered to pay each other compensation for their 1998-2000 border war. Chinese firms secure deal to build several hydro-power dams and wind farms. Twenty-six found guilty of coup plot. Rebels of the Ogaden National Liberation Front claim capture of several towns in the east in a month of heavy fighting.
Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of sending agents across the border to plant bombs and warns it will take all necessary measures to halt Eritrean “aggression”. Ethiopia for the first time declares openly that it will support Eritrean rebel groups fighting to overthrow President Isaias Afewerki. Parliament designates three domestic political and armed organisations as terrorist groups. Drought. Millions of Ethiopians and refugees from Somalia need emergency aid.
Ethiopia and Egypt agree to hold talks to quell tensions over the building of an Ethiopian dam on the Blue Nile. Egypt worries the dam will reduce vital water supply. Ethiopia destroys entire stockpile of illegally poached ivory. Conservationists say the country remains a key trafficking hub.
May - Ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) wins an overwhelming victory in general election.
Government drops plans to expand Addis Ababa boundaries after months of protests by Oromo ethnic group fearing farmers could be displaced. Rights groups estimate at least 140 people killed by security forces during protests.
Millions of people face dire food shortages after Ethiopia suffers its worst drought in decades. Tens of thousands of people from Ethiopia's ethnic Amhara group, take part in an anti-government demonstration in the northern city of Gondar. Human rights groups say at least 500 people have been killed. Britain, the EU and the World Bank announce a project to create 100,000 jobs in Ethiopia. A third of the jobs will be for Eritrean refugees to whom the Ethiopian government will grant full employment rights. Economic growth declines to 8% from a previous annual average of 10%. Government blames drought but observers say unrest has also had an effect.