Turkey Advances Ties with Africa at Summit in Djibouti

Turkey has reaffirmed its intention to strengthen relations with Africa during its recent summit in Djibouti, promoting trade partnerships and urging African nations to support Palestine. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan highlighted significant trade growth and military cooperation, advocating for Africa’s increased role in global issues, including UN reformation and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Turkey has expressed its dedication to cultivating deeper relationships with African nations during the recent African summit held in Djibouti. The Turkish government has actively encouraged its African counterparts to support diplomatic initiatives concerning Palestinian issues. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has personally undertaken significant engagement with the continent, having visited 31 African countries over the past two decades, totaling 50 trips. The summit saw participation from fourteen African countries, including Angola, Chad, Comoros, Egypt, and Nigeria, among others. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who presided over the meeting, reported that trade volume between Turkey and Africa had exceeded $35 billion in the previous year, while direct investment by Turkey in the region reached $7 billion. “Turkey is employing a comprehensive and holistic approach in terms of enhancing our trade and economic partnership with the continent,” Fidan asserted. Furthermore, Turkey has emerged as the fourth largest supplier of arms to sub-Saharan Africa and has contributed to training military forces in various African nations. Recent diplomatic efforts from Ankara include mediating disputes between Ethiopia and Somalia and establishing mining agreements with Niger. Fidan emphasized the importance of African representation in global discussions, advocating for the African Union to obtain permanent membership within the G20 and calling for necessary reforms to the United Nations Security Council. He noted, “We should continue our efforts to make the UN more relevant and capable of confronting the complex challenges of the century. Security Council reform is critical in this sense.” Additionally, Fidan encouraged African nations to take active roles in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, stating, “We believe that Africa can play an instrumental role in supporting the Palestinian cause and in stopping Israel.” He commended African countries supporting Palestine, underlining South Africa’s recent actions at the International Criminal Court.

Turkey’s engagements in Africa have intensified over the past few years, marked by President Erdogan’s extensive travel and economic investments. The strategic interest is not only reliant on trade but also encompasses diplomatic relations and security cooperation. The recent summit in Djibouti aimed to consolidate these ties further and address pressing issues such as the Palestinian matter, emphasizing Turkey’s aspiration for Africa to play a pivotal role in international diplomacy and crisis resolution.

In summary, the recent summit in Djibouti exemplifies Turkey’s commitment to establishing robust ties with African nations while advocating for their involvement in crucial global issues, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Through enhanced trade, military cooperation, and diplomatic support, Turkey seeks to forge a partnership that benefits both itself and the diverse nations of Africa. The anticipation of the next Turkiye-Africa Summit in 2026 further underscores the long-term vision Turkey has for its relationships on the continent.

Original Source: www.voanews.com