Eritrea was eventually given to Ethiopia in 1952 as part of the settlement following the Second World War, despite its plea to be granted self-determination and independence. Some degree of autonomy was guaranteed, however, following the establishment and the crushing of Eritrea liberation movements, Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopa unilaterally dissolved the Eritrea parliament and annexed the country in 1962.

That action marked the beginning of a thirty year struggle for independence, and then following the defeat of Ethiopian troops in 1991 by Eritrea rebels the long awaited opportunity for independence was confirmed following a 1993 referendum.

However war between Eritrea and Ethiopia erupted once more in 1998 over disputed borders. The matter was settled in principle in 2000, however conflict remains as Ethiopia has refused to recognise the Eritrea Ethiopia Boundary Commission's findings of 2007, and there are concerns that the border dispute may well flare up again.

Today Eritrea, despite its rich past, is an impoverished nation, with around 80% of its population reliant upon subsistence farming. War, as ever, has taken its toll on the economy, with the 1998-200 war inflicting heavy damage. Natural events have also played their role in preventing Eritrea from development, with poor rainfalls affecting harvests to the point where the country is unable to grow enough foods to meet its populations needs.