The Soviet Union’s Foreign Policy In The Ethio-Somali War (1977-1979)

The Ogaden War broke out between Ethiopia and Somalia from1977to1979. Theconflict occurred between two developing Countries. It took place in a very strategicposition in the Horn of Africa. The war originated from Western colonial legacy andburst in the special historical background of the Cold War.As a superpower, the Soviet Union played a leading role in the conflict anddominated the whole process of the war. The Soviet Union adopted positive“neutrality” policy before the conflict and developed relations with both countries,and made great efforts to mediate between the two sides. While, after the outbreak ofwar, the Soviet Union turned to support Ethiopia and helped the country win the finalvictory of the Ogaden War. With this victory, the Soviet Union established itsadvantageous strategic position in the Horn of Africa.The change of the Soviet Union’s policies to Ethiopia and Somalia is the result ofmultilevel factors. In particular, it was heavily influenced by the constraints of theconstructive factors in international system. Namely, the prevail of the Soviet Unionin the Cold War contribute its dominant position in the conflict. In order to maximizethe Soviet Union’s national interests, the Brezhnev authorities of the Soviet Unionadjusted its policies to the two nations in accordance with the changes of the times.The Soviet Union’s interference with the Ogaden War has had a profound impacton the modernization of Ethiopia and Somalia, bilateral relations between the SovietUnion and the both nations, and the regional security of the Horn of Africa, and eventhe whole process of international Cold War.