Several years later he left Ethiopia, narrowly escaping capture by the military, to join armed guerrillas fighting for Eritrean independence.

The issue of Eritrean independence is sensitive largely because Ethiopia would be left landlocked if the northern province broke away permanently.

Both countries established diplomatic relation in 1993 following Eritrean independence.

The party advocated Italian trusteeship over Eritrea in preparation for full Eritrean national independence.

He also sang about the people involved in the movement towards Eritrean independence, and the sacrifices of that movement.

Eritrean independence was achieved de facto in 1991.

Eritrea: Eritrean independence was declared as a result of a referendum held with United Nations verification.

"Eritrean independence is not acceptable here," the envoy said.

They proclaimed a provisional government and called for a plebiscite on Eritrean independence.

Following Eritrean independence, the monument was removed.