The Quest for Balance: Historical Background of Türkiye-Africa Relations

Year 2024, Volume: 13 Issue: 4, 179 - 210, 01.12.2024

Mesut Özcan Mehmet Köseoğlu

https://doi.org/10.36360/1560-013-004-011

Abstract

The potential and problems in Africa have attracted the attention of several actors, including Türkiye, to the continent. This article aims to contribute to the debates surrounding this interest by analyzing common characteristics of Africa-oriented policies. In particular, this analysis focuses on the key parameters that shaped Türkiye’s initiatives through a historical perspective. We argue that the Turkish policy toward Africa revolves around several concepts. Our analysis of Türkiye’s African policy decision-making is structured around several guiding principles: a bipartisan approach, maintaining autonomous policy, a rational and pragmatic approach, as well as mutual affirmation. To examine policy priorities across different periods, primary sources such as parliamentary minutes, election programs, and diplomats’ memoirs were analyzed, alongside periodicals from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The consistent principles of Türkiye’s Africa policy include bipartisan support across governments, autonomous decision-making, and a rational, pragmatic focus on economic diplomacy. Mutual recognition and respect for African sovereignty have also been essential, resulting in a positive reception and growing partnerships with African nations.

Keywords

Türkiye, Africa, Türkiye’s African Policy, Turkish Foreign Policy, Africa Opening Policy

السعي إلى التوازن: الخلفية التاريخية للعلاقات التركية الإفريقية

Abstract

جذبت الإمكانات والمشكلات في إفريقيا انتباه العديد من الجهات الفاعلة إلى القارة، من بينها تركيا. تهدف هذه الدراسة إلى الإسهام في المناقشات المحيطة بهذا الاهتمام من خلال تحليل الخصائص المشتركة للسياسات الموجهة نحو إفريقيا. ويركز هذا التحليل بشكل خاص على المعايير الرئيسة التي شكلت مبادرات تركيا من منظور تاريخي. إننا نؤكد أن السياسة التركية تجاه إفريقيا تدور حول عدة مفاهيم. إن تحليلنا لعملية صنع القرار في السياسة الإفريقية التي تنتهجها تركيا يرتكز على عدة مبادئ توجيهية، لعلها تتمثل في: نهج ثنائي الحزبية، والحفاظ على سياسة مستقلة، ونهج عقلاني وعملي، فضلًا عن التأكيد المتبادل. ولدراسة أولويات السياسة عبر فترات مختلفة، قمنا بتحليل المصادر الأولية، مثل محاضر البرلمان، وبرامج الانتخابات، ومذكرات الدبلوماسيين، إلى جانب الدوريات الصادرة عن وزارة الخارجية. وتشمل المبادئ الثابتة لسياسة تركيا تجاه إفريقيا الدعم الثنائي الحزبي عبر الحكومات، وصنع القرار المستقل، والتركيز العقلاني والعملي على الدبلوماسية الاقتصادية. كما كان الاعتراف المتبادل واحترام السيادة الإفريقية ضروريين، وهذا أدى إلى استقبال إيجابي وشراكات متنامية مع الدول الإفريقية.

Keywords

تركيا, إفريقيا, السياسة الخارجية التركية, سياسة تركيا تجاه إفريقيا, سياسة الانفتاح على إفريقيا

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