I know that the Soviets got involved because they were doubting Somalia commitment to communism, and viewed the Ethiopian Derg as a possible future communist state. I understand why the soviets wanted to get involved, but I was wondering why the Cubans felt the need to send thousands of men all the way to Ethiopia to battle the Somalis. I know the Cubans had been floating around Africa in areas like Angola, but I thought they were mostly fighting against colonial/western backed groups. Somalia wasn't really receiving western backing and had only been sided with the US for a brief period of time, so why did Cuba send so many men to fight in the Ogaden?
I looked through similar past questions, but was only able to find why the soviets were involved.
Link to similar past question: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3acahk/why_did_the_ussr_and_cuba_choose_to_support/csbkxop/
Haha! So, in response to writing that post, and having it featured on the askhistorians twitter account, the twitter user @101ethiopia directed me to this account by Castro recalling his role in negotiations between Siad Barre and Mengistu before the outbreak of war. I think this is a high quality source because it represents a private, high level diplomatic discussion between Castro and the PM of East Germany, and reflects Castro's thoughts some 3 months before the outbreak of the Ogaden War.
In that account, Castro lays out his view that Ethiopia was experiencing a socialist revolution, which he saw as a forward step in the expansion of socialism in the world generally, and in the Horn of Africa in particular.
In this view, by risking war Siad Barre was acting, wittingly or unwittingly, to aid reactionary forces in defeating the Ethiopian revolution.
But also, I think this passage is crucial to understand Castro's position:
I have made up my mind about Siad Barre, he is above all a chauvinist. Chauvinism is the most important factor in him. Socialism is just an outer shell that is supposed to make him more attractive. He has received weapons from the socialist countries and his socialist doctrine is [only] for the masses. The Party is there only to support his personal power.
In his case there is a bizarre symbiosis of rule by military men who went through the school of colonialism and social appearances. Something about socialism appeals to him, but overall there is still a lot of inequality and unfairness in the country. His principal ideas are nationalism and chauvinism, not socialism.
Towards the end, Castro lays out his reasons for shipping some small arms and military trainers to Ethiopia, to help train and stabilize the Ethiopian army and thereby guard the Ethiopian revolution. Of course, Castro does not mention sending 15,000 soldiers to Ethiopia, and so this meeting must have happened before a decision was made. Nonetheless, I think it gives a good insight into Castro's reasons for sending troops.