Djbouti was never owned or even occupied by Ethiopia
Menelik did not control Djbouti simply because the Afar Triangle was a ferocious dry and hot terrain and difficult for Menelik or any foreign army to treck
So for Menelik the gate to the Red Sea was in Zeyla and Masawa not in Asab. Asab was unheard of
Ethiopia never governed the Assab coast and Djbouti Coast until the British handed Eritrea to Ethiopia in 1952.
Menelik never gave djbouti or assab to the Europeans simply Menelik did not even know "Assab or Tadjourah" existed. So the only thing Menelik could have done was cross into Kebessa Highlands and seek Port Masawa
By the way Sea Access was not much of a concern for Menelik. Menelik was a highlander who knew very little about trade or naval affairs. Only Yohanes and Alula attempted to take the Red Sea (Masawa) likely because they had more knowledge about the coastal trade routes then Shewan Menelik
Ras Alula could have advised Menelik after Adwa to march into Eritrea. But that did not happen. The rebellion of Ras Solomon Weldamikaels in Hamasien could be one reason. The Eritrean locals also did not seem to care about the Italian presence it was just another Egyptian Turkish occupation for them they did not ask Menelik to liberate them from foreign rule.
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The Battle of Adwa only occured because the Italians believed Ethiopia would accept becoming an Italian Colony which Menelik disagreed with. Italy Launched an invasion into Ethiopia and Menelik organized the country to repel the Italian invasion
AbyssiniaLady wrote: ↑19 Oct 2025, 16:19
Gallas are waging an unprecedented psychological war against Eritrea, Sadly, they are winning the war without firing a single shot towards Eritrea, this thread is a testimony, Shouting Djibouti name, crying and pointing finger at Djibouti won't save Eritrea from Ethiopia's inevitable Eritrea invasion.
Ras Alula could have advised Menelik after Adwa to march into Eritrea. But that did not happen
Menelik was okay with Italy occupying Eritrea and even signed the Wuchale agreement in fact. Menelik had a positive view of the Italians at first due the fact of Italians being Christians like Abysinnians
Djibouti was never part of Ethiopia and it was never under Ethiopia rule.
There has never been any lease deal or treaty signed between Ethiopia and France, for the simple reason that Djibouti was never under Ethiopia rule, Djibouti has never in its history been under Ethiopia rule, Djibouti formerly known as "French Somaliland - La Côte Française Des Somalis" became a French colony long before 1894, In the 1880s, Djibouti was already French colony of French Somaliland - La Côte Française Des Somalis, A name which continued until Somalia told France to get the hell out of Djibouti.
War-torn Ethiopia will invade Eritrea, pointing your dirty fingers at Djibouti won't save Eritrea from Gallas.
