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The indiscriminate partition brought different ethnic groups (tribes) under one or more colonial power. This situation disrupted the political development of these societies; furthermore, ethnic groups were fragmented.

The horn of Africa has been a restive region for centuries. The region has been the scene of long lasting internecine conflicts. One of the most enduring and violent of those regional conflicts is the Ogaden conflict.

Families were forcibly separated into two or more groups; each group under a colonial power spoke a different European language.

Allies of Ethiopia saw this as a huge threat and helped out. North Korea, Cuba, and the Soviet Union supported Mariam and his troops by giving Ethiopia dozens helicopter pilots, thousands of soldiers, weapons and military aid. Finally, after thirteen long, bloody months, Ethiopia (with help from its allies) gained back control over the Ogaden, and the Ogaden war was finally over.

1974 - Haile Selassie overthrown in military coup. General Teferi Benti becomes head of state. 1975 - Haile Selassie dies in mysterious circumstances while in custody. 1977 - Benti killed and replaced by Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam. 1977-79 - Thousands of government opponents die in "Red Terror" orchestrated by Mengistu; collectivisation of agriculture begins; Tigrayan People's Liberation Front launches war for regional autonomy. 1977 - Somalia invades Ethiopia's Ogaden region. 1978 - Somali forces defeated with massive help from the Soviet Union and Cuba.