British concerns over Ethiopia and France shaped its disengagement policy

Evidence

Britain finally agreed to the demands of the protectorate and began the process of disengagement. Throughout this period, the British authorities were concerned about the effect of union on their interests, particularly given the negative reaction of Ethiopia and France. They made extra efforts to reassure these two regional allies, and that set the stage for future developments in the Horn. — Abdi Ismail Samatar, Africa’s First Democrats, 453