Talk:History of Eritrea
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It is misleading readers to say, "Prior to Italian colonization in 1885, what is now Eritrea had been ruled by the various local or international powers that successively dominated the Red Sea region."
These "various local or international powers" was Ethiopia. Over several centuries (the myth goes back to King Solomon and Queen Sheba), Ethiopia (which included the area now considered Eritrea) existed in this part of Africa. Eritrea's separate identity was initially nurtured by the colonialist Italians and later by Egyptians (who want to keep Ethiopia divided and weak so as to prevent Ethiopia's claim for use of the Blue Nile). Eritreans are Ethiopian; their script, their food, their clothing, their names, their houses of worship, their lineage, and their heritage are common. Eritrean and Ethiopian history are one.
Eritrea is as much Ethiopian as Florida or Georgia are American. The United States has unequivocally demonstrated its views regarding the principles of "right to self determination". When the 13 Southern States declared their independence, the North under Abraham Lincoln mobilized and brought those states to heel, contrary to such "right of self determination". When national unity is in question, no country will stand by and watch a piece of itself break away. It is unfair under these circumstances to blame Emperor Haile Sillassie or Mengistu for fighting to keep Eritrea as one with Ethiopia. These two have many other faults but this one is not the one.
The current authoritarian powers in Eritrea are Communist and were supported by Communist Russia for most of their struggle. True to their Communist pedigree, Isayas Afewerqi and his supporters tolerate no disagreements, indiscriminately eliminating any and all opposition. Because of this, Eritrea's economy is in ruins.
It has been 40 years since the beginning of this unfortunate fracture between Eritrea and the rest of Ethiopia. Considering Ethiopia's long history, there is hope that the two nations will some day admit the error of their ways to reconstitute themselves back again as one nation and one people.
Before the Italians there was nither Eritrea nor Ethiopia. True that different kingdoms based in what are today Tigray and Gonder provinces ruled these areas and sometimes as far as southern Eritrea. Even if the kings of Abessiniya had had some control of the tigrinya part of Eritrea, the muslim part which is 75% of Eritrea was never under Abessinyan control. Thus saying Eritrea is one with Ethiopia is misleading.