Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will attend a Turkey-Africa ministerial meeting in Djibouti aimed at enhancing cooperation with African nations. This meeting, scheduled for November 2-3, will include representatives from 14 African countries and evaluate past conference outcomes to strengthen diplomatic ties. Turkey has seen significant growth in trade and military partnerships in Africa, amid ongoing mediation efforts in regional disputes.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is set to travel to Djibouti next week to participate in a Turkey-Africa ministerial meeting aimed at enhancing collaboration between Turkey and the African continent. This meeting will take place from November 2 to 3 and is expected to draw representatives from 14 African nations alongside Turkish delegates. In recent years, Turkey has significantly expanded its influence in Africa, marked by an impressive nearly eight-fold increase in trade, extensive diplomatic engagements, military support to select nations, and the signing of agreements spanning various sectors. The upcoming Djibouti gathering will serve as a platform to assess the progress made since the previous conference in 2021 and to explore additional avenues for deepening bilateral cooperation. Additionally, this diplomatic engagement occurs at a time when Turkey is actively mediating tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia concerning Ethiopia’s lease of coastal territory from Somaliland. Despite the complexities arising from a lack of trust among the parties involved, Turkish officials express optimistic expectations for a resolution. Moreover, Turkey recently entered into a cooperation agreement with Niger, focusing on their mining sector, having previously established a partnership in the oil and gas domain. The Turkish Mineral Research and Exploration authority is set to initiate gold production in Niger by year’s end, with local security forces in place to safeguard their operations. Turkey’s efforts in Africa are characterized by competition with significant global powers such as France, Russia, and China. The provision of defense equipment, including armed drones, to nations like Somalia and Ethiopia aims to bolster their national security and counterterrorism capabilities, with measurable successes reported in certain regions concerning control and security improvements. However, recent reports indicated that a Turkish drone is implicated in an attack in Mali, highlighting the complexities and potential repercussions of military involvement in the region.
Turkey’s growing engagement in Africa can be attributed to its strategic desire to expand its geopolitical influence and economic partnerships on the continent. Over recent years, Turkey has significantly increased its trade volume with African nations and established strong diplomatic relations. The focus on military assistance, particularly through arms sales and training, reflects Turkey’s commitment to supporting security initiatives in regions plagued by instability and terrorism. As Turkey navigates its relationships with various African nations, the juxtaposition of competition with historical powers in Africa highlights the evolving dynamics of international partnerships in the region. The ongoing effort to mediate disputes such as that between Somalia and Ethiopia underscores Turkey’s ambition to position itself as a central player in African diplomacy.
In summary, Turkey is taking substantial steps to strengthen its presence in Africa, focusing on bilateral cooperation and regional stability through diplomatic, economic, and military engagements. The upcoming Turkey-Africa ministerial meeting in Djibouti is poised to build upon previous discussions and enhance collaborative efforts. As Turkey competes with other major global players for influence on the continent, its initiatives highlight both the challenges and opportunities in addressing security concerns while fostering economic growth. The dual approach of mediation and military support exemplifies Turkey’s comprehensive strategy to enhance its role in African affairs.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
