UNGA-Disarmament and International Security Committee

The Ogaden War (1977–1978) was a major interstate conflict fought between Ethiopia and Somalia over the disputed Ogaden region, a predominantly ethnic Somali territory in eastern Ethiopia. Driven by Somalia's objective of creating a Greater Somalia by unifying all Somali-inhabited lands, the war rapidly escalated into a significant Cold War proxy conflict. Initially, Somali forces achieved major territorial gains, but following extensive military support from the USSR, Cuba, and allied states to Ethiopia, Somalia was forced to withdraw. The conflict reshaped alliances in the Horn of Africa, intensified regional militarization, generated a large refugee crisis, and left long-lasting political and security consequences that continue to influence the region today.

Beyond the battlefield, the Ogaden War became a defining moment in the geopolitical history of the Horn of Africa. It marked a dramatic shift in Cold War alignments, with the Soviet Union abandoning Somalia in favour of Ethiopia, while the United States increasingly supported Somalia thereafter. The conflict accelerated the militarization of the region through large-scale arms transfers, foreign military deployments, and proxy involvement by external powers. It also weakened regional economies, displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians, and laid the foundations for future insurgencies and cross-border instability, making the war a critical case study in interstate conflict, superpower rivalry, and the enduring impact of territorial disputes in Africa.

Greetings Delegates,

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the United Nations General Assembly, Disarmament and International Security Committee at Bosco Model United Nations’ 26. In this committee, we gather here to deliberate what perhaps remains a chilling testament to the volatility of Cold War politics and the razor-thin line between survival and annihilation - the Ogaden Crisis, with the Freeze date for this committee being - 29th October, 1977.

The discussion on the Ogaden Crisis thus revolves around the impossibility of realizing sustainable peace and cooperation in Africa whilst maintaining territorial integrity at all costs. It also recognises the role of diplomacy, regional organisations, and international law as instruments for settling border disputes and attaining long-term peaceful coexistence in Africa.

The committee will be assisted by the Rapporteur Renesh Das. Serving as the Joint-Secretary of the Young Entrepreneur Group at Don Bosco Park Circus, he often deceives people by his authentic Bengali over innocent looks but when he takes up the mic, he is bound to make you believe that he is a first timer (in the EB). Jokes apart, Renesh is among the most researched and approachable members of the executive board.

The Co-Vice Chairpersons of this committee shall be Devesh Beriwala and Swarnabh Brahma. Devesh, who serves as the Vice-President of the Young Entrepreneur group at Don Bosco Park Circus can also be called as the ‘finance minister’ of the executive board. You can often find him getting scolded by his seniors or being kicked out of meetings for making mistakes worse than a first timer but even after all this he is among the most hardworking people one can come across, working for hours without taking a single break. Swarnabh on the other hand with the worst hairstyle in the secretariat can be usually seen in the school canteen begging for free iced tea, serves as the backbone of the executive board. Swarnabh is someone who can easily make any allotment relevant in any committee and somehow always manages to make people aware of his unconditional love for fish.

I, Rajveer Kumar Pruthi, the President of the Young Entrepreneur Group at Don Bosco Park Circus, shall be serving as the Secretary General for this edition of Bosco MUN and the Chairperson for this committee.

As delegates of DISEC, you are entrusted with the formidable responsibility of addressing these challenges. The committee expects diplomacy of the highest order, diplomacy that transcends rhetoric and culminates in meaningful action. Remember that in this committee, every statement carries weight, every alliance influences outcomes, and every directive has the potential to alter the course of history.

Happy Researching and All the Best!

Regards,
Rajveer Kumar Pruthi,
Chairperson of the United Nations General Assembly Disarmament and International Security Committee,
The Eleventh Secretariat,
Bosco MUN 2026.