Eritrea: History

Italy proclaims the colony of Eritrea.

British Forces occupy Eritrea during World War II.

After becoming a United Nations trust territory in 1949, the UN decides to make Eritrea a federal component of Ethiopia.

Ethiopia annexes Eritrea, turning it into a province, which marks the beginning of the war of independence. 

Soviet and Cuban forces interfere to help the Ethiopian government reverse significant advances made by Eritrean guerrillas.

Eritrea becomes independent and joins the UN.

Eritrean-Ethiopian border clashes turn into a full-scale war which leaves about 70,000 people dead.

After the Algiers Agreement peace treaty was signed in 2000, the two countries accept a new common border.

World Food Program warns of a dire food situation after a series of droughts. It extends emergency operations to help more than 840,000 people. 

Fighting breaks out between Djiboutian and Eritrean troops in the disputed Ras Doumeira border area.

Ethiopia and Eritrea ordered to pay each other compensation for their 1998-2000 border war.

The government introduces new-design banknotes, saying that old-style notes will no longer be legal tender.

Eritrea ends state of war with Ethiopia following Ethiopian diplomatic overtures.