Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will attend a Turkey-Africa ministerial meeting in Djibouti on November 2-3, aiming to deepen cooperation with 14 African nations. Amidst increasing trade and military engagements, Turkey is also mediating disputes in the region while reinforcing its influence against rivals like France and Russia.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, is scheduled to visit Djibouti next week for the Turkey-Africa ministerial meeting aimed at enhancing cooperation between Ankara and the African continent, as reported by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This meeting, set to take place on November 2-3, will consist of representatives from 14 African nations and will focus on reviewing outcomes from the previous conference held in 2021, along with discussing strategies for deepening bilateral ties. In recent years, Turkey has significantly amplified its presence in Africa, with trade increasing nearly eight-fold and engagements ranging from military support to various economic agreements. Notably, Turkey has been mediating a territorial dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia regarding an arrangement for Ethiopia to lease coastal areas from Somaliland. However, the officials indicated that achieving successful mediation has been challenging due to prevailing mistrust among the parties involved, although Ankara remains optimistic about potential advancements. Furthermore, Turkey has recently solidified cooperative agreements with Niger in the mining sector and previously in the oil and gas industry. The officials elaborated that Turkey’s Mineral Research and Exploration authority is set to commence production in three gold mining sites in Niger by year-end, with support from local security forces. Turkey is positioning itself competitively against other powers such as France, Russia, and China in Africa, actively forging partnerships and supplying armed drones to several nations, including Somalia and Ethiopia. The aim of providing defense equipment and military training is to bolster the national capabilities of these countries and enhance counterterrorism efforts. An official noted the significant improvements in territorial control by nations utilizing Turkish drones, exemplifying this with Burkina Faso, where ground control has increased to 65%. However, concerns regarding the application of Turkish drones have arisen, highlighted by a recent incident where Tuareg rebels in Mali reported that a drone strike attributed to a Turkish drone resulted in the deaths of eight individuals and injuries to twenty others.
Turkey’s increasing engagement in Africa has been a strategic shift aimed at expanding political, economic, and military influence on the continent. The significant rise in trade, military alliances, and diplomatic partnerships illustrates Turkey’s commitment to enhancing its role in African affairs. Moreover, Turkey’s involvement in conflict mediation, particularly between Somalia and Ethiopia, highlights its burgeoning reputation as a peaceful negotiator in regional disputes. As competition grows among global powers for influence in Africa, Turkey’s proactive approach emphasizes a multifaceted strategy, including economic investments and military support, to establish long-term relationships with African nations.
In summary, Turkey is poised to augment its cooperative efforts with African countries through the upcoming ministerial meeting in Djibouti. With Turkish military and diplomatic initiatives evolving, the nation seeks to enhance its influence on the continent while fostering economic partnerships and addressing regional conflicts. The collaborative engagements with various African nations mark a significant expansion of Turkey’s strategic interests in Africa, further solidifying its role as a key player amidst competing global powers.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
