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Key reasons Ethiopia was never colonised

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Ethiopia is the only African country that was never colonised by Britain. While many African countries were colonised by European powers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Ethiopia successfully resisted colonisation, became Africa’s oldest independent state and the only African country that avoided colonial rule.

Although Italy only occupied Ethiopia in 1936 and got kicked out in 1941, it is still considered as the only African nation that was never colonised by the Europeans.

Ethiopia’s journey towards independence began long before the ‘scramble for Africa’ – the period between 1884 and 1914, when the European colonisers partitioned unexplored African continent into protectorates, colonies and ‘free-trade areas’ – in the late 19th century. Ethiopia had established itself as a powerful empire in the Horn of Africa, renowned for its strong monarchies and proud traditions with a sense of national identity and unity which proved crucial in facing external threats.

As European powers embarked on their quest for colonial domination in Africa, Ethiopia emerged as a prime target due to its strategic location and abundant resources. However, unlike many African nations – like Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Sierra Leone, etc – that succumbed to European armies and colonial ambitions, Ethiopia resisted all of these.

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One of the defining moments in Ethiopia’s struggle against colonialism came in 1896, during the Battle of Adwa. In a remarkable display of unity and military prowess, Ethiopian forces, led by Emperor Menelik II, defeated the Italian army, which sought to establish colonial rule and with the victory at Adwa, the myth of European invincibility was broken thereby cementing Ethiopia’s status as an independent nation.Some of the reasons why Ethiopia was able to stand firm against the Europeans are: 

1. Ethiopia was able to use diplomacy and strategic alliances to maintain its independence. Emperor Menelik II forged alliances with European powers, such as France and Russia, which provided Ethiopia with economic and military support. These alliances also made it clear to potential colonizers that any attempt to invade Ethiopia would be met with resistance from a powerful coalition of nations.

2. Ethiopia was able to modernize its military and political institutions, which made it a formidable opponent to potential colonizers. The country’s ruler at the time, Emperor Menelik II, recognized the threat of European imperialism and began a program of modernization and reform investing in modern weapons, training its army and reforming the country’s legal and administrative systems, making Ethiopia a more centralized and efficient state.

3. Ethiopia was an independent nation, with a long and proud history of resistance to foreign rule. The country had successfully fought off attempts at invasion by neighboring countries, such as Egypt and Italy, before the scramble for Africa even began.

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Furthermore, Ethiopia’s terrain and geography served as challenges to colonizers. The country’s mountainous landscapes and remote regions made it difficult for foreign armies to penetrate deep into Ethiopian territory, providing a natural defense against external threats.

Ethiopia’s status as the only African country that was never colonized by Britain is proof of the resilience, courage, and determination of its people. Through centuries of struggle and sacrifice, Ethiopia emerged triumphant, preserving its independence and inspiring generations of Africans to fight for their freedom with its legacy becoming the nation that defied the odds and carved its destiny amidst the noise of colonialism.

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Ukraine alleges N’Korea is sending troops to Russia

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He was speaking days after visiting several European capitals to press his case for more military and financial help in the war against invading Russian forces.

“We see an increasing alliance between Russia and regimes like in North Korea,” Zelensky said in his evening address.

“It is no longer just about transferring weapons. It is actually about the transfer of people from North Korea to the occupier’s military forces.

“Obviously, in such circumstances, our relations with our partners need to be developed. The frontline needs more support,” he said.

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Zelensky completed a whirlwind two-day tour of European capitals last week including Berlin, London and Paris to ask for sustained military aid as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine grinds on through its third year.

“When we talk about more long-range capability for Ukraine and more decisive supplies for our forces, it is not just a list of military equipment,” Zelensky said.

“It is about increasing the pressure on the aggressor, which will be stronger for Russia than they can withstand. And it is about preventing a bigger war.”

AFP.

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Kenyan Governor Detained Over Violent Clan Disputes

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A regional governor in Kenya has been taken into custody due to his involvement in clan violence in the Tana River County, where multiple fatalities have occurred.

Dhadho Godhana, along with a local legislator, were arrested separately for failing to comply with summonses regarding the clashes, as stated by the police on Saturday. The accused individuals have not publicly addressed the allegations.

The clashes in southeast Kenya have resulted in the deaths of at least 14 people, leading the authorities to declare two areas in the county as hazardous and insecure for the next 30 days.

According to an official notice from the Interior Ministry, security measures have been intensified in these areas, and residents are prohibited from carrying weapons.

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DCI chief Mohamed Amin confirmed that Godhana presented himself at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters in Nairobi on Saturday morning and is being interrogated about the clashes.

Five politicians from Tana River County have been summoned to appear before the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) on Monday for questioning regarding allegations of instigating conflict between two communities.

Tana River has previously experienced ethnic clashes over disputes about grazing rights, resulting in numerous fatalities.

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North Korea Removed as Observer from Regional Anti-Money Laundering Group

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North Korea has lost its observer status in a regional group that fights money laundering. This decision was announced on Monday by the South Korean foreign ministry. The reason for this action is North Korea’s lack of involvement and its failure to fulfill its responsibilities to the group.

The decision was made unanimously at the 26th general assembly of the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG), which convened last Tuesday in the United Arab Emirates.

The South Korean ministry released a statement explaining the outcome.

Established in 1997, the APG is an intergovernmental body dedicated to enforcing international standards against money laundering and combatting terrorism financing, including preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

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The group currently consists of 42 member states, including key global powers such as the United States, Japan, China, and South Korea, which joined in 1998.

North Korea gained observer status in the APG in July 2014. However, it was warned by the group that its continued lack of engagement would lead to disqualification. The North failed to meet even the minimal requirements to retain its status, prompting the members to endorse the revocation.

To maintain its observer status, a country is required to permit visits from APG delegations, facilitate information exchange, and cooperate with the group in publishing regular reports on the nation’s anti-money laundering efforts. The APG found that North Korea had not participated in the group’s activities for six consecutive years, nor had it responded to any of the group’s attempts to establish contact.

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In response, North Korea issued a statement through its state-run Chosun Central News Agency on October 3rd, protesting the APG’s decision. The regime claimed the APG had become a “puppet group” serving the interests of the United States and suggested the move was a result of America’s continued “hostile policy” towards the country.

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