Italian colonialism (late 19th century–WWII) established Eritrea and Somali territories, used private initiatives and state control, and suffered defeat at Adwa.
Away from the global spotlight, Eritreans are trapped in a garrison state
"Isaias impresses me as remarkably similar in temperament and attitudes to Mengistu, exhibiting a stubborn, fundamentally authoritarian personality that has stifled Eritrea's potential for democracy and prosperity."