Written by Tuva Gumlukuk
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey’s foreign minister will travel to Djibouti next week to attend a Turkey-Africa ministerial meeting and discuss improving cooperation between Ankara and the continent, a ministry official said.
NATO member Turkey has strengthened its presence and influence in Africa in recent years, expanding its trade by nearly eight times, providing diplomatic and military support to some countries, and signing agreements in various fields. I am doing it.
The Djibouti meeting will evaluate the previous meeting held in 2021 and discuss possible moves to deepen cooperation, officials said on condition of anonymity.
The meeting will be held from November 2-3 and will be attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, as well as representatives from 14 African countries, the officials added.
It comes amid Turkish mediation efforts to resolve a dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia over a deal in which Ethiopia agreed to lease a swath of its coastline from Somaliland, and as West Africa struggles with a surge in terrorism. It was done during the.
Officials said mediation was difficult due to a lack of trust between the parties, but that the Turkish government expected good news within days.
Turkey signed a mining cooperation agreement with Niger on Tuesday, after signing a similar cooperation agreement on oil and gas with the West African country in July.
Asked about the deal, officials said Turkey’s Mineral Research and Exploration Authority has three gold mines in Niger, protected by Niger’s security forces, and plans to start production there by the end of the year. .
Turkey competes with major powers such as France, Russia and China for a foothold in Africa, forging partnerships with several countries and providing armed drones to countries including Somalia and Ethiopia.
Officials said Turkey’s provision of defense equipment and military training was aimed at strengthening “national capabilities” and supporting counter-terrorism efforts.
One official cited Burkina Faso’s use of Turkish drones to double its level of state control to 65%, and that “countries that have acquired Turkish drones are strengthening their own ground control.” said.
Mali’s Tuareg rebels said on Tuesday that eight people had been killed and 20 injured in a Turkish drone strike.
(Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Daren Butler and Lisa Shumaker)
