The uncertainty and confusion that began to spread through Ethiopia in 1974 as the ageing Emperor increasingly lost control and was finally overthrown on 12 September by the armed forces, inevitably greatly encouraged Somali hopes of achieving autonomy for the Ogaden. Exciting though this prospect was, for the time being it was considered prudent to watch and wait to see what would happen in Ethiopia while concentrating primarily on Jibuti.

I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Som…, loc. 555