Ogaden

Ogaden is a geographic and historic region in eastern Ethiopia, covering part of the country's Somali Regional State. The area, roughly 200,000 km², lies between the Shebelle River to the north and the Kenyan border to the south, and includes a plateau that rises to about 1,500 m. Its name derives from the Somali Ogaden clan, the dominant pastoralist group that has traditionally inhabited the region. The climate is semi‑arid, with sparse rainfall supporting mainly livestock herding, though some areas are cultivated for sorghum, millet and sesame.

Historically, Ogaden formed part of the Sultanate of Harar and later the Ethiopian Empire after the 1896 Treaty of Addis Ababa, which incorporated the territory following the defeat of the Emirate of Harar. The region became a focal point of conflict in the 20th century. Between 1977 and 1978, Somalia launched the Ogaden War, seeking annexation; the conflict ended with Ethiopian forces, assisted by Soviet and Cuban support, reclaiming the area. Subsequent insurgencies, most notably the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), have demanded self‑determination, leading to intermittent armed clashes and humanitarian concerns.

Demographically, the population is predominantly ethnic Somali, speaking Somali and practicing Islam. Urban centers such as Harar, Jigjiga, and Degehabur serve as administrative and commercial hubs. Infrastructure development remains limited, with roads, health services, and education facilities lagging behind national averages. International aid agencies have operated in Ogaden to address food insecurity, drought‑related displacement, and human‑rights issues, while the Ethiopian government continues efforts to integrate the region economically and politically.