SubSaharan Africa 471
MID#2067
Dispute Number: 2067
Date(s): March 31, 1966
Participants: 520 Somalia/530 Ethiopia
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 1–25 deaths
Narrative: Ethiopian and Somali forces clashed along the border of the disputed
Ogaden region. One Ethiopian policeman was killed.
Coding changes: End Date changed from June 24, 1966.
MID#1378
Started in February 1967. See the narrative in the 501 Kenya/520 Somalia dyad dis-
pute list.
MID#2068
Dispute Number: 2068
Date(s): May 21, 1973 to May 24, 1973
Participants: 520 Somalia/530 Ethiopia
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: The Ogaden Desert rests within the borders of Ethiopia but remains popu-
lated by Somalis. The Soviet Union in April 1973 began to arm the Somali military
and sent military advisors to Somalia in order to foment calls for Somali expansion
into the area. In response, Ethiopia began to fortify its border with Somalia, while
Somalia countered that Ethiopia was likely planning an attack. At the Organization of
African Union meeting in May, Somalia protested against the border fortification and
charged that Ethiopia was planning an attack, which Ethiopia denied. Amidst the ten-
sion, an accord between the 41 countries in Africa (including Ethiopia and Somalia)
declaring African Unity was signed on May 29, 1973.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from April 1973. End Date changed from May
23, 1973.
MID#1427
Dispute Number: 1427
Date(s): May 26, 1974 to May 28, 1974
Participants: 520 Somalia/530 Ethiopia
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Negotiated)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Ethiopian forces surrounded a small number of Somali soldiers who had
crossed the border as far as 20 miles into Ethiopia to halt oil prospecting there. Two
days later the two countries came to an agreement that returned the forces to their
respective positions.
Coding changes: Outcome changed from Unclear. Settlement changed from None.