Ethiopia, Turkey, Somalia, and Somaliland: It's Complicated

 The Conversation published on 3 April 2024 a commentary titled "Turkey and Ethiopia Have Had Close Ties for Many Years: Somalia Maritime Deals May Shift the Dynamics" by Michael B. Bishku, Augusta University.  

Long standing Ethiopia-Turkey ties are being put to the test as a result of Ethiopia's deal with Somaliland for a military base and reportedly diplomatic recognition.  Turkey has a military base in Somalia, which opposes the Ethiopia-Somaliland deal, and is training Somali soldiers and equipping its naval force.  This situation poses a dilemma for Turkey's relations with Ethiopia.

Sudan's Strategic Partnership with Turkey

 The Middle East Institute posted on 20 July 2022 an analysis titled "Turkey and Sudan: An Enduring Relationship?" by Jihad Mashamoun.

Sudan has a longstanding strategic partnership with Turkey that has survived regime change.  Persistent protests in Sudan that might result in full civilian rule would take Sudan's strategic partnership with Turkey into uncharted waters.

Somalia: Comparing Assistance from Turkey and the UAE

 The Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs at the Air University (Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama) published on 1 June 2022 a study titled "Middle-Power Aid Rivalry in the Horn of Africa: A Comparative Study of Emirati and Turkish Foreign Aid Policy in Somalia" by Fabio van Loon.  

The article demonstrates the radically different approaches to aid in Somalia by Turkey and the UAE.  Turkey is spreading a Turkish form of political Islam that has sparked competition with the UAE, which seeks to contain the spread of political Islam.  

Turkey and Africa in the COVID-19 Era

 The Institute for Defense Analyses' Africa Watch published on 17 March 2021 an analysis titled "Aid and Trade: Turkey's Engagement in Africa during COVID-19" by Sarah Daly.

COVID-19 has not slowed Turkey's progress in Africa; rather it has allowed it to engender goodwill with existing partners in North Africa and the Horn of Africa and to create new inroads to African nations further afield.  

Turkey's Expansion in Africa

 African Business published on 17 March 2021 an article titled "Erdogan's Ambition Drives Turkey's Africa Surge" by Charlie Mitchell.

Turkey is opening its 43rd embassy in Africa this year in Guinea-Bissau.  Turkish President Erdogan has visited more African countries than any other non-African leader.  

Turkey-Africa Economic Relations

The Journal of Sustainable Development Law and Policy, published by Nigeria's Afe Babalola University, contains a 2017 analysis titled "Economic Relations between Turkey and Africa: Challenges and Prospects" by Elem Eyrice Tepecikliogu, Yasar University in Turkey.

The study explores the evolution of Turkish-African relations and concentrates on Turkey's economic engagement in Africa. It analyzes recent Turkish initiatives in Africa's energy sector. It argues that although the low level of attention previously paid to Africa has changed, the pace of development of relations with Africa is still slow and suggests more steps should be taken to further improve relations with the continent.

Turkey-Sudan Relations: A Turkish Military Base in the Red Sea?

Al-Monitor, a Washington-based media site with a focus on the Middle East, published on 3 January 2018 an article titled "Erdogan's Ottoman Dream Causes Storm in Red Sea" by Fehim Tastekin.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently visited Sudan, where he signed 13 agreements. Those with a financial commitment reportedly are financed by Qatar, a current ally of Turkey. Turkey's aid agency, TIKA, is already working to restore relics of its Ottoman heritage on Sudan's Red Sea island of Suakin. President Erdogan reportedly asked Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir if Turkey could establish a military base at Suakin. If this were to happen, it would anger Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE while it would be welcomed by Iran and Qatar and possibly even Somalia and Ethiopia. In any event, it would change the political/security dynamic in the Red Sea region.

Evolution of Turkey-Africa Relations

The Rome-based Istituto Affari Internazionali published in August 2016 an analysis titled "Turkey's African Experience: From Venture to Normalisation" by Mehmet Ozkan, Turkish National Police Academy in Ankara.

The author states that Turkey's policy in Sub-Saharan Africa between 2005 and 2015 was transformed in such a way that it now constitutes one of the main focuses of Ankara's foreign policy. He argues that Turkey's foreign and development policy towards Africa has changed at ideational, societal and institutional levels.

Turkey-Africa Relations

African Business published in April 2016 two articles on Turkey-Africa relations.  One is titled "Turkey Courts Africa for Diversification" by Neil Thompson and can be found on pages 46-47.  The second is titled "Turkey's Soft Power Play" by Neil Ford and can be found on pages 49-51.

Turkey-Africa Relations

TesfaNews published on 11 November 2015 an article titled "Turkey in Africa - A Humanitarian Approach" by Turkey's Foreign Minister Feridun H. Sinirlioglu.  The article is a useful summary of Turkey's cooperation with Africa. 

Turkey's Engagement in Sub-Saharan Africa

London-based Chatham House published in September 2015 my research paper titled "Turkey's Engagement in Sub-Saharan Africa: Shifting Alliances and Strategic Diversification."  The paper analyzes all aspects of the rapidly expanding relationship between Turkey and Sub-Saharan Africa.  In view of the numerous challenges facing Turkey, however, the paper suggests that Ankara over the short-term may become more insular and be less focused on expanding its efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Today's Zaman, a Gulen-affiliated daily in Istanbul, published on 22 October 2015 an article titled "Report Reveals Repercussions of AK Party Fight against Gulen Movement in Africa" that drew from the Chatham House report.  Only a small section of the Chatham House report deals with the Gulen Movement; most of it concerns Turkey's relations with Sub-Saharan Africa.   

Turkey's Focus on Somalia

Daily Sabah published on 22 March 2015 a summary titled "Turkish Model in Somalia Focus of Daily Sabah's London Panel" of a discussion on Turkey-Somalia relations held at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London.

The panelists commented that Turkey is especially appreciated in Somalia because its involvement is based on business and not counterterrorism or engagement in local politics.  Turkey also takes risks that other countries are unwilling to take.  Finally, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has taken a personal interest in the relationship. 

The Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research published in October 2014 a major study titled "Turkey's Involvement in Somalia: Assessment of a State-Building in Progress" by Mehmet Ozkan, who described Somalia as "a novelty" in Turkish foreign policy. 

Turkey in Africa

Former Turkish ambassador Numan Hazar wrote an excellent summary of Turkey-Africa relations titled Turkey in Africa: The Implementation of the Action Plan and an Evaluation after Fifteen Years.  Published in July 2012 by the Turkish Center for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies in Ankara, the article is available in English, French and Turkish.