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