Turkey held its African Summit in Djibouti, reaffirming its commitment to deepen ties with the continent, which includes a trade surpassing $35 billion. Fourteen African nations participated, discussing economic partnerships and diplomatic support for Palestine. Fidan highlighted Turkey’s military involvement in Africa and called for a more significant African role in global issues, with future summits planned for 2026.
On Sunday, Turkey reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing relations with the African continent during its latest African summit held in Djibouti. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has made substantial investments in Africa, conducting 50 visits to 31 nations throughout his two decades in leadership. The summit witnessed participation from fourteen African nations, including notable countries such as Angola, Egypt, and Nigeria, highlighting Turkey’s growing diplomatic footprint in the region. During the summit presided over by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, it was noted that trade relations with Africa exceeded $35 billion in 2022, with Turkey’s direct investments amounting to $7 billion. Minister Fidan articulated Turkey’s strategy towards fostering a robust trade and economic partnership with Africa, emphasizing, “Turkey is employing a comprehensive and holistic approach in terms of enhancing our trade and economic partnership with the continent.” Significantly, Turkey stands as the fourth-largest arms supplier to sub-Saharan Africa and has engaged in providing military training to various nations. In recent months, Turkey has also sought to mediate conflicts, notably between Ethiopia and Somalia, and secured a mining partnership with Niger. Furthermore, Minister Fidan reiterated Turkey’s support for the African Union’s aspirations for permanent representation in the G20 and reforms within the United Nations Security Council, asserting, “Security Council reform is critical in this sense.” He also advocated for increased African involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian situation, stating, “We believe that Africa can play an instrumental role in supporting the Palestinian cause and in stopping Israel.” Minister Fidan expressed gratitude towards African nations supporting Palestine, particularly recognizing South Africa’s recent initiative to present evidence regarding alleged genocidal actions taken by Israel to the International Criminal Court. The next Turkiye-Africa Summit is scheduled for 2026, indicating Turkey’s ongoing commitment to strengthening ties with Africa.
Turkey has increasingly focused on fostering partnerships with African nations over the past two decades, evidenced by extensive diplomatic and economic initiatives led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The recent summit in Djibouti reflects Turkey’s strategic interests in enhancing trade and investment relations, alongside its desire to assert a diplomatic voice on key global issues, such as the Israel-Palestine conflict. This growing engagement is part of Turkey’s broader ambition to position itself as a pivotal player in Africa, particularly through economic collaboration and military support.
In conclusion, Turkey is actively pursuing deeper ties with African nations, driven by significant investments and diplomatic engagements. The recent summit in Djibouti serves as a testament to Turkey’s commitment to enhancing trade, supporting regional stability, and advocating for Africa’s role in international affairs, particularly regarding the Palestinian cause. The next Turkiye-Africa Summit is set to further these discussions in 2026, reflecting Turkey’s long-term strategy in its African relations.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
