UPSC Prelims 2009 Q116: Current Affairs – International Conflicts & Security

UPSC Prelims 2009, General Studies Paper I · Current Affairs

Which one of the following pairs of countries fought wars over a region called Ogaden ?

Answer: (b) Ethiopia and Somalia

Explanation

Which countries fought over the Ogaden region

This contested territory sparked a significant war between two neighbouring African nations.

Option	Verdict	Reason
(a) Eritrea and Sudan	Incorrect	Not the countries involved in the Ogaden conflict
(b) Ethiopia and Somalia	Correct	The Ogaden War (1977-78) was fought between Ethiopia and Somalia over this disputed region
(c) Kenya and Somalia	Incorrect	Not the countries of this specific war
(d) Ethiopia and Sudan	Incorrect	Not the correct country pairing for this conflict

Ogaden War facts:

Point	Detail
Countries	Ethiopia and Somalia
Period	1977-78

Answer: (b) Ethiopia and Somalia.

(a) Incorrect. Eritrea and Sudan are unrelated to the Ogaden conflict.
(b) CORRECT. The Ogaden War was fought between Ethiopia and Somalia.
(c) Incorrect. Kenya and Somalia is not the correct pairing for this specific war.
(d) Incorrect. Ethiopia and Sudan is also not the correct pairing.

The Ogaden War (1977-78) was fought between Ethiopia and Somalia over the disputed Ogaden region.

Ethiopia and Somalia fought wars over the Ogaden region.

Confusing the Ethiopia-Somalia Ogaden conflict with other African border disputes (Eritrea-Sudan, Kenya-Somalia).
Not knowing the specific 1977-78 timeline of this war.
Mixing up various Horn of Africa regional conflicts.

Ogaden War = Ethiopia vs Somalia, over the disputed Ogaden region, 1977-78.