Eritrea (1952–1962)

Between 1952 and 1962, Eritrea was an autonomous component of the Federation of Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Eritrea
1952–1962
Flag Coat of arms
Location of autonomous Eritrea within the Federation of Ethiopia and Eritrea
Capital	Asmara
Common languages	Amharic Tigrinya[1] Arabic[1]
Government	Autonomous region
Emperor of Ethiopia
• 1952–1962	Haile Selassie
Emperor's Representative
• 1952–1959	Andargachew Messai
• 1959–1962	Abiye Abebe
Chief Executive of Eritrea
• 1952–1955	Tedla Bairu
• 1955 (acting)	Araya Wassie
• 1955–1962	Asfaha Woldemikael
Legislature	Legislative Assembly of Eritrea
Historical era	Cold War
• Federation	15 September 1952
• Eritrean War of Independence	1 September 1961
• Withdrawal of autonomy	15 November 1962
Currency	Ethiopian birr
ISO 3166 code	ER
Preceded by Succeeded by British Military Administration (Eritrea) Province of Eritrea
Today part of	Eritrea

Background

Main article: History of Eritrea

Eritrea came under Italian administration in 1882 and was absorbed into Italian East Africa in 1936. Eritrea was occupied by British forces during World War II in 1941. Following the conclusion of hostilities in 1945, Eritrea remained under British administration until 1952, when it was federated with the Ethiopia before being annexed by the Ethiopian Empire in 1962 as Eritrea Province.

Governance

Under the terms of UN General Assembly Resolution 390A of 2 December 1950, Eritrea and Ethiopia were linked through a loose federal structure under the sovereignty of the Emperor. Eritrea had its own administrative, legislative and judicial organs, its own flag and emblem, and control over its domestic affairs, including police, local administration, and taxation.^[2]

Emperor's Representative

See also: List of colonial governors of Eritrea

#	Name	Assumed office	Left office
1	Andargachew Messai	15 September 1952	December 1959
2	Abiye Abebe	December 1959	14 Nov 1962

Chief Executive / Chief Administrator

Main article: Chief Executive of Eritrea

#	Name	Assumed office	Left office	Notes
1	Tedla Bairu	15 September 1952	29 July 1955
2	Araya Wassie	29 July 1955	8 August 1955	Acting
3	Asfaha Woldemikael	8 August 1955	14 November 1962	As "Chief Administrator" from 20 May 1960

Legislative Assembly

Elected in 1952

Main article: 1952 Eritrean parliamentary election

Party		Seats
	Unionist Party	32
	Democratic Front	18
	Muslim League of the Western Province	15
	Independent Muslim League of Massawa	1
	Nationalist Party	1
	Independents	1
Total		68
Source: Omer

Elected in 1956

Main article: 1956 Eritrean parliamentary election

Party		Seats
	Unionist Party	32
	Anti-unionists and others	36
Total		68

Elected in 1960

Main article: 1960 Eritrean parliamentary election