Treaty of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
What happened
The Ethiopian Empire of Emperor Menelik II and the Kingdom of Italy. In 1889 Italy and Ethiopia had signed the Treaty of Wuchale, but its Italian text claimed Ethiopia as an Italian protectorate while the Amharic text did not. Menelik rejected that claim, Italy invaded, and Ethiopia defeated Italy at Adwa. In the Treaty of Addis Ababa, Italy cancelled the Treaty of Wuchale and recognised Ethiopia as fully independent.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It ended the First Italo-Ethiopian War on terms mostly favourable to Ethiopia. By cancelling the Treaty of Wuchale, it secured Ethiopia's independence.
What came next
Border agreements with Italian Eritrea followed in 1900, 1902 and 1908.
Did you know?
The quarrel began with a single article, Article 17 of the Treaty of Wuchale, which said different things in Amharic and Italian.
Timeline
- 2 May 1889The Treaty of Wuchale is signed.
- 1895Italy invades Ethiopia.
- 1896Ethiopia defeats Italy at Adwa.
- 26 October 1896The Treaty of Addis Ababa is signed.