The Anglo-Italian Secret Agreement in Ethiopia, also known as the Hoare-Laval Pact, was a controversial agreement signed in December 1935 between Britain and Italy, which sought to end the Second Italo-Ethiopian War. The agreement was negotiated by Sir Samuel Hoare, the British Foreign Secretary, and Pierre Laval, the French Prime Minister, on behalf of Italy.
At the time, Italy was under the rule of Fascist leader Benito Mussolini, who had designs on expanding his empire by annexing Ethiopia. The Italian invasion of Ethiopia in October 1935 had already led to international condemnation, with the League of Nations issuing sanctions against Italy.
The Hoare-Laval Pact proposed a plan for ending the war, which involved the partition of Ethiopia. The agreement proposed that Italy would be allowed to annex the most fertile and economically important parts of Ethiopia, while the rest of the country would be left to Emperor Haile Selassie`s rule.
The agreement was kept secret from the Ethiopian government and was only revealed to them when it was leaked to the press. The Ethiopian government rejected the agreement outright, as it would have resulted in the loss of large parts of its territory and sovereignty.
The public outcry in Britain and France against the agreement was also intense, with critics arguing that it was a betrayal of Ethiopia and a violation of the principles of the League of Nations. The Labour Party in Britain called for the resignation of Hoare and the government was forced to withdraw the agreement.
The failure of the Hoare-Laval Pact marked a turning point in the Second Italo-Ethiopian War. The Ethiopian army, which had suffered defeats against the better-equipped Italian forces, was able to regroup and launch a successful resistance against the Italians.
In May 1936, Italy was able to conquer Ethiopia and Emperor Haile Selassie was forced into exile. However, the Ethiopian resistance continued and in 1941, with the help of British and Ethiopian forces, Ethiopia was able to regain its independence.
The Anglo-Italian Secret Agreement in Ethiopia remains a controversial episode in the history of British and Italian relations. It highlights the dangers of secret diplomacy and the damage that can be caused when powerful nations make deals without the input of those affected. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding international law and respecting the sovereignty of other nations.
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