Turkey to Strengthen Bonds with Africa in Upcoming Djibouti Meeting
Turkey’s Foreign Minister will attend a Turkey-Africa ministerial meeting in Djibouti on November 2-3, aiming to enhance cooperation with African nations. Turkey’s growing influence in Africa is marked by an eight-fold increase in trade and strategic military support. The meeting will involve 14 African countries and will evaluate past engagements while addressing current mediation efforts in regional disputes.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, is scheduled to attend a ministerial gathering in Djibouti on November 2-3, aimed at enhancing collaboration between Turkey and African nations. This conference will assess the outcomes of the previous Turkey-Africa meeting held in 2021 and focus on strategic advancements in cooperation. Turkey has seen a significant expansion of its involvement in Africa, increasing trade by approximately eight times in recent years, alongside providing diplomatic and military assistance to various countries on the continent. The meeting in Djibouti will involve delegations from 14 African countries. Moreover, Turkey is currently mediating between Somalia and Ethiopia regarding a contentious agreement over a coastline lease from Somaliland, amidst challenges posed by a lack of trust between these parties. Turkish officials expressed optimism for a resolution in the near future. Recently, Turkey has finalized agreements in the mining sector with Niger, demonstrating its robust engagement in energy and resource development within the region. In the context of competition with global powers such as France, Russia, and China, Turkey’s strategy includes providing military equipment, including drones, to nations like Somalia and Ethiopia. Such defense support aims to enhance national capacities and tackle terrorism. Positive outcomes include benefits observed in Burkina Faso, where the utilization of Turkish drones reportedly improved territorial control significantly. However, the use of these drones has also drawn scrutiny, as evidenced by a recent incident in Mali involving a Turkish drone strike that resulted in civilian casualties.
Turkey’s increasing involvement in Africa represents a significant shift in its foreign policy strategy, marking a focus on fostering deeper ties with the continent. The country has significantly elevated its trade with African nations, now engaging diplomatically and militarily in various sectors. The purpose of the upcoming Djibouti meeting, which seeks to build upon a prior conference, underscores Turkey’s commitment to establishing long-term partnerships and addressing regional issues, such as disputes between neighboring countries in the Horn of Africa and combating terrorism. Additionally, Turkey’s provision of military support, including drones and training, aligns with its goal to enhance national security capabilities among its African partners. As it competes with other global powers for influence in Africa, Turkey’s initiatives reflect its strategic interests and economic ambitions in the region.
In summary, Turkey’s forthcoming ministerial meeting in Djibouti symbolizes its dedicated efforts to improve partnerships with African nations, focusing on economic cooperation and security collaboration. With ongoing mediation efforts in regional disputes and recent military agreements, Turkey strives to solidify its influence across the continent, while it navigates a competitive landscape alongside other international players.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
