Why did menelik of Ethiopia establish a modern army?

Menelik II of Ethiopia established a modern army to strengthen his nation's defense against colonial encroachment, particularly from Italy. By modernizing the military, he aimed to assert Ethiopia's sovereignty and protect its independence during a time when many African nations were being colonized. The modernization also helped unify his diverse kingdom and played a crucial role in Ethiopia's victory at the Battle of Adwa in 1896, which secured its status as a free nation.