Officials Announce Turkey’s Aim to Enhance Collaboration with Africa in Upcoming Djibouti Discussions

In Istanbul on October 19, 2024, Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, delivered remarks at a press conference. (REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya/File Photo. Purchase Licensing Rights)

Next week, the Turkish foreign minister is jetting off to Djibouti. The agenda? A pivotal Turkey-Africa ministerial shindig, aiming to bolster ties between Ankara and the African continent, according to ministry insiders.

Over recent stretches, Turkey, a NATO ally, has ratcheted up its footprint and sway in Africa. It’s been boosting trade nearly eightfold, dishing out diplomatic and military aid to certain countries, and sealing the deal across various sectors.

The ministry insiders, speaking anonymously, noted the upcoming Djibouti meeting aims to assess achievements from a 2021 conference and consider new steps to forge deeper partnerships.

Set for November 2-3, the gathering will see folks from 14 African nations rub shoulders with Turkey’s own Hakan Fidan, they mentioned.

This all unfolds as Turkey juggles brokering peace between Somalia and Ethiopia, tangled in a tiff over Ethiopia’s deal to lease coastal lands from North Western State of Somalia. Meanwhile, West Africa grapples with escalated terrorism woes.

According to the insiders, the mediation gig is a tough nut to crack due to low trust levels between the disputing sides. Still, there’s hope Ankara might deliver some promising headlines soon.

On Tuesday, Turkey and Niger came together over a fresh mining pact, hot on the heels of a similar oil and gas deal inked back in July.

When quizzed about this agreement, officials pointed out that Turkey’s Mineral Research and Exploration Wiiizards have their eyes set on three gold mines in Niger. Secured by local forces, production’s slated to kick off before the year wraps up.

Not sitting idly by, Turkey’s vying against global heavyweights like France, Russia, and China for a slice of the African pie. Cozying up to several countries, they’ve also been deploying armed drones to locales like Somalia and Ethiopia.

Officials revealed that Turkey’s strategic delivery of defense gear and military schooling is meant to beef up national security and stand up to terrorism.

“Nations with Turkish drones have bolstered their turf control,” one official shared, noting Burkina Faso’s swell in governance from 32% to a stout 65%, thanks to Turkish drone prowess.

Meanwhile, in Mali, Tuareg rebels reported a drone strike executed with a Turkish UAV, leaving eight dead and 20 wounded.

Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editorial finesse by Daren Butler and Lisa Shumaker

Edited by: Ali Musa

alimusa@axadletimes.com

Axadle international–Monitoring