Ethiopia was part of the Italian colonial Empire for only 5 years. Italy's declaration of a colony in the East African nation was vigorously opposed at the League of Nations by an address of its leader Selassie. Italy's period of occupation 1936-1938 was restricted to the capital cities (with the Scioa province) and during daylight, because of the Ethiopian guerilla activities. In 1939 nearly all the guerrilla was defeated by the Italians: only one guerrilla leader did not surrendered in early 1940 and joined the Allies in May 1940 as "Arberesh leader".