Reactions to the Ogaden War

The Ogaden War, a conflict between Somalia and Ethiopia from 1977 to 1978, provoked internal dissent throughout Somalia. At its height, however, the Ogaden war was extremely popular, and President Siyad’s public status was never more supported. But, Somalia’s withdrawal and catastrophic defeat, coupled with the refugee influx, quickly led to widespread public demoralization and a rising sentiment of tribalism, as differing groups of people sought scapegoats in others. Eventually, this dissent led to an attempted coup against the regime in April 1978, led by military officers of the Mijerteyn (Darod) clan who had played a dominant role in the old civilian government. Following the failure of the coup, those who revolted formed a guerilla opposition group called the Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF), and sought support in Ethiopia but were eventually subdued. The fact that the Darod clan sought success in Ethiopia, a country that was historically Somalia’s enemy, is a sign of both desperation and a measure of the degree of disintegration of Somalia national unity.  

In 1989-1990, the Somali National Movement (SNM), a large influence in the Somali Civil War, became much more prominent. Drawing much of its support from the Isaq clans of central northern Somalia, they expressed their disappointment with the Siyad regime. The SNM launched their headquarters, like the SSDF, on the border of Ethiopia, where they conducted raids.

The SSDF and the SNF are just two examples of the escalation of armed opposition to the Siyad regime and the fall of Somali solidarity. Though Siyad’s hostility towards Ethiopia, even well after the war (supported the Ogadeni Western Somali Liberation Front), angered Somalis, he won the election of 1986, as he ran unopposed. In February 1987, a “new” government was formed, including a Prime Minister (one of Siyad’s close military friends); in reality, this government was not “new,” but rather a compilation of Siyad’s clan and family. Change in Somalia was needed.