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Relationship dossier

Cuba Somalia

Relationship assessment

Cuban support for Ethiopia in the Ogaden War prompted Somalia to sever relations.

Cuba toward Somalia

-30

Cuba provided military support to Ethiopia during the 1977–78 Ogaden War, in which Ethiopia fought Somalia, directly opposing Somali government objectives.

Somalia toward Cuba

-25

Somalia severed diplomatic relations with Cuba in response to Cuba's support for Ethiopia during the Ogaden War.

Overall relationship

-25

The relationship was shaped by Cuba's military backing of Ethiopia during its war with Somalia and Somalia's severing of relations in response. The extent and durability of later bilateral engagement are unclear.

How to read these scores

Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.

−100
Extreme sustained hostility
−50
Substantially adversarial
0
Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
+50
Substantially cooperative
+100
Exceptionally close sustained partnership

“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.

Relationship context

Knowledge coverageLimited

Overview

Cuba's military support for Ethiopia during the 1977–78 Ogaden War placed it on the opposing side of Somalia's conflict with Ethiopia. Somalia responded by severing diplomatic relations with Cuba. These actions created a period of substantial bilateral hostility; the scope of later engagement is unclear.

Areas of tension

Key developments

Major uncertainties

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