The Somali-Ethiopian Conflict |
Throughout the Cold War, Somalia and Ethiopia, situated in the Horn of Africa was completely reliant on external aid and support and because of the ongoing political changes these two countries became a major battleground for containment and control between America and the Soviet Union. The recent foreclosing of a radicalisation enabled the Soviet Union to enlarge its presence in Somalia, consequentially leading to a response to the American administration, following the ideas of the containment policy, fearing its own strategic interests where threatened. [P. Schulz; The Horn of Africa in a Bipolar World, The Cold War as the Origin of the Somalia Crisis]
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The strategic position of the Horn of Africa became the largest aspect of argument between the two political powers of the Cold War. Being positioned directly south of the Read Sea and Arabian Peninsula placed the disputed land extremely close to major oil lines, constituting a prime position to control politics, provide advanced military support to the Middle East and Persian Gulf and project power. Because of its proximity to the oil lines, America increased it presence pre-emptively, as it was necessary to support and stabilise pro-Western governments that would minimise the presence of pro-Soviet and therefore Communist parities. Not only would an increased western influence restrain the possibility of a Soviet blockade of oil lines, it would economically stabilise the Horn of Africa and keep the Read Sea and Indian Ocean open for “Israeli Shipping”. [P. Schulz; The Horn of Africa in a Bipolar World, The Cold War as the Origin of the Somalia Crisis]
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As the conflict between the US and the Soviet Union increased, political changed in he Horn became evident. The increasing interest in protecting and shielding third world countries from communist influences by the US lead to the explicit military and financial support provided to Ethiopia. In an attempt to avoid Soviet power growing in the Horn, America attempted to cooperate with the Somali along with the Ethiopians, countering the American influence, however was a deal that the Eastern Bloc had made with the Somali, providing them with military hardware, leading to a military aid agreement signed between Russia and Somalia. This provided the training and the arming of Somalia’s army. [P. Schulz; The Horn of Africa in a Bipolar World, The Cold War as the Origin of the Somalia Crisis]
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These developments brought about the support of the East and West being provided to two conflicting countries, Somalia and Ethiopia respectively. While following the Nixon Doctrine, which reduced the efforts that America provided to fighting countries, Soviet presence increased dramatically. By 1977 America completely withdrew all military aid, this removal of influence lead to a great underestimation of the political change that would ensue. Having no American influence in the Horn of Africa allowed the Soviet Union to create a military aid agreement with Ethiopia, at this point the Eastern Bloc controlled the entirety of the Horn of Africa. [GlobalSecurity.org]
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Because the relationship between Ethiopia and the Soviet Union was growing stronger, and the Soviet’s presence in the Horn increased, the US prepared to support and provide military aid to Somalia, in order to reduce the communist presence. With the support of the US, Somalia Armed Forces, supported with tanks and aircraft invaded Ethiopia across the ‘common border’ in July of 1977. [GlobalSecurity.org] Sparking what is now known as the Ogaden War, the Somali’s attempt at taking back the Ethiopian Province of Ogaden, what they believed to belong to Somalia. Although the invasion took Ethiopians by surprise a counter offensive attack was prepared by the Russians and their allies the Cubans.
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A truce was reached with pressure from both major powers, when the Ethiopians were told not to cross the border in pursuit of the Somali. The deterioration of political and economical situation in Ethiopia offered the golden opportunity to Somalia to enhance their dream of “Greater Somalia”, however the escalation of the war into a global scale was only brought about by the intervention of the Soviet Union and America. As a part of containment, America involved themselves in last minute attempt to stop the Soviet Union from taking the Horn of Africa, a major political and economical advantage.
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