The Sino-Soviet Split: The Horn of Africa, November 1977 to February 1979

Authors

L.G. Shelton

Abstract

On 13 November 1977 the People's Democratic Republic of Somalia formally abrogated its Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with the Soviet Union and expelled some 5 to 6 thousand Soviet advisors. As Somalia had been one of the more closely dominated and supported client states of the Soviet Union outside the bloc, this catastrophic breach in relations was remark· able. Even more noteworthy, however, was that this episode marked the beginning of a signal event in Sino-Soviet relations in which the Chinese would proclaim the Soviets their greatest enemy, with whom war is inevitable.

Recommended Citation

Shelton, L.G. (1979) "The Sino-Soviet Split: The Horn of Africa, November 1977 to February 1979," Naval War College Review: Vol. 32: No. 4, Article 8.
Available at: https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/nwc-review/vol32/iss4/8