Turkey is committed to deepening its relations with Africa, advocating for Palestinian support at its recent summit in Djibouti. With 50 visits to 31 African nations and significant investments, Turkey announced that trade with Africa surpassed $35 billion, and it called for the African Union’s increased role in international matters. The next summit is set for 2026.
On Sunday, Turkey expressed its dedication to strengthening ties with African nations, advocating for diplomatic support for Palestinians at its recent summit held in Djibouti. This summit marks Turkey’s continuous investment and engagement with Africa, as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has made 50 trips to 31 African countries over the past two decades. The latest ministerial meeting saw attendance from fourteen African nations, including Angola, Chad, Comoros, Republic of Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Libya, Mauritania, Nigeria, South Sudan, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who chaired the summit, highlighted that trade between Turkey and Africa exceeded $35 billion last year, while Turkey’s direct investments in the continent reached $7 billion. “Turkey is employing a comprehensive and holistic approach in terms of enhancing our trade and economic partnership with the continent,” stated Fidan during his address. Additionally, Turkey has positioned itself as the fourth-largest supplier of arms to sub-Saharan Africa and has engaged in military training initiatives across numerous countries. Recent efforts have included mediating disputes between Ethiopia and Somalia and signing a mining agreement with Niger. Minister Fidan reiterated Turkey’s support for the African Union to attain permanent membership in the G20 and called for reforms in the United Nations Security Council. He stressed the importance of making the UN more relevant in addressing the modern challenges of the century, asserting that “Security Council reform is critical in this sense.” Moreover, he urged for increased African involvement in the Israel-Palestinian conflict, asserting, “We believe that Africa can play an instrumental role in supporting the Palestinian cause and in stopping Israel.” Minister Fidan expressed gratitude to African nations that have endorsed Palestine, notably acknowledging South Africa’s recent initiative to present evidence of alleged “genocide” by Israel to the International Criminal Court. Looking ahead, the next Turkiye-Africa Summit is scheduled for 2026.
Turkey has been actively enhancing its diplomatic and economic relations with African nations, particularly over the past two decades. This recent summit in Djibouti is part of a broader strategy to reinforce Turkey’s presence on the continent. The country has not only expanded its investments and trade but also taken on a role in regional security matters and international diplomacy, advocating for the rights of Palestinians and the involvement of African countries in global discussions, such as those at the United Nations and G20.
In summary, Turkey is intensifying its engagement with Africa through diplomatic and economic initiatives, as highlighted by the recent summit in Djibouti. The Turkish government aims to foster deeper cooperation with African states while promoting a collaborative role in pressing geopolitical issues, including the Palestinian cause. These developments underscore Turkey’s commitment to establishing itself as a key partner in Africa as it looks forward to the next Turkiye-Africa Summit in 2026.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
