The Soviet Union 's Policy On The Horn Of Africa (1974-1978)

This paper is the study of policy and influence of the Soviet Union on the Horn of Africa between1974and1978.At the end of the1960s, with the decline in U.S. comprehensive strength, the Soviet Union took the opportunity to the Horn of Africa, greatly strengthened its presence in the region. In1974, the Soviet Union set up alliance with Ethiopia’s rival--Somalia. The same year, Ethiopia revolution broke out, and pro-American Haile Selassie regime was overthrown, the military government came to power in Ethiopia. The military government in Ethiopia pursued anti-U.S. policy, and contacted actively with Soviet for the acquisition of a large number of military assistance. Dependence of Ethiopia’s military government on Soviet transferred its attention gradually from Somalia to Ethiopia. Based on the consideration of strategic interests, the Soviet Union decided to stop "sitting on the fence", abandoned somalia and supported Ethiopia thoroughly. The two countries established alliance formally in1978. Accordingly, to make up for the loss in Ethiopia, American took the opportunity to quickly contact with Somalia. From1974to1978, Soviet’s ally had changed from Somalia into Ethiopia, U.S.S.R. and U.S. were swaping their strategic allies in Horn of Africa.This process had exerted far-reaching influence for Cold War. From later period of Carter administration, American abandoned "detente", instead, adopted hard line position towards Soviet.We can say, the United States and the Soviet Union’s struggle for the Horn of Africa in1970’s is one of the important factors of America restart containment strategic towards Soviet.