Somali’nin Siyasal ve Toplumsal Yaşamında Sivil Toplum Kuruluşlarının Rolü (The Role of Civil Society Organizations in Political and Social Life in Somalia)

Özet: 

Bu çalışma, Somali’nin siyasi dönüşümünü ve ülkedeki STK’ların ortaya çıkışını etkileyen tarihsel, toplumsal ve güvenlik dinamiklerini analiz etmeyi amaçlamaktadır. 1960’larda demokratik bir sisteme sahip olan Somali, 1969’da Siad Barre’nin darbesiyle otoriter ve sosyalist bir yönetime sürüklenmiştir. Barre rejiminin baskıcı politikaları, Ogaden Savaşı’nın kaybı ve özellikle Somaliland bölgesindeki sert askeri operasyonlar ülkeyi istikrarsızlaştırmış ve 1991’de rejimin çökmesiyle yaklaşık 30 yıl süren iç savaşa yol açmıştır. Devlet otoritesinin tamamen çöktüğü bu dönemde yerel STK’lar temel hizmetleri üstlenmiş, ancak kabile yapısı bu kuruluşların bağımsız ve şeffaf çalışmasını zayıflatmıştır. 2012 sonrası sınırlı siyasi istikrar, daha profesyonel ve uzmanlaşmış STK’ların ortaya çıkmasına imkân tanımıştır. 1995’ten itibaren Arap STK’ları, 2011’den sonra ise Türk STK’ları Somali’de etkili olmuş; özellikle Türk STK’ları sahada doğrudan faaliyet yürüterek altyapı odaklı, uzun vadeli ve güvenilir yardım modelleriyle öne çıkmıştır.

Abstract:

This study aims to analyze the historical, social, and security dynamics that influenced Somalia's political transformation and the emergence of NGOs in the country. Somalia, which had a democratic system in the 1960s, was plunged into authoritarian and socialist rule by Siad Barre's coup in 1969. The Barre regime's repressive policies, the loss of the Ogaden War, and particularly harsh military operations in Somaliland destabilized the country, leading to the regime's collapse in 1991 and a civil war that lasted nearly 30 years. During this period of complete collapse of state authority, local NGOs provided basic services, but the tribal structure weakened their independence and transparency. The limited political stability after 2012 allowed for the emergence of more professional and specialized NGOs. Arab NGOs, and Turkish NGOs, became influential in Somalia from 1995 onward, and Turkish NGOs from 2011 onward; Turkish NGOs, in particular, distinguished themselves by their direct field operations, infrastructure-focused, long-term, and reliable aid models.

Alıntı:

Sıradağ, A. (2025).  Somali’nin Siyasal ve Toplumsal Yaşamında Sivil Toplum Kuruluşlarının Rolü, (The Role of Civil Society Organizations in Political and Social Life in Somalia) Afrika'da STK'lar: İmkan ve Kısıtlılıklar, (Editörler: Filiz Sever ve H. Rumeysa Dursun). Ankara: Kadim Yayınları, ss. 233-246 (in Turkish).

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/397899556_Somali'nin_Siyasal_ve_Toplumsal_Yasaminda_Sivil_Toplum_Kuruluslarinin_Rolu_The_Role_of_Civil_Society_Organizations_in_Political_and_Social_Life_in_Somalia

 

 

 

New Article: Understanding Türkiye’s New Defense and Security Policy towards Africa: New Dynamics, and New Approaches

Abstract: 

Türkiye has emerged as one of the most active players in African politics under the administration of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) governments which came to power in November 2002. The AK Party governments have developed new strategies to increase their political, economic, social, and security relations with African countries. While Türkiye prioritized soft power policies towards Africa from 2005 to 2016, it began to give precedence to defence and security relations after 2016. This research aims to analyse and explore the main dynamics and driving factors behind Türkiye’s evolving defence and security policy with the continent. This study argues that the shifting internal dynamics in Türkiye and the West’s inconsistent policies towards Türkiye became the major reasons and the factors shaping Türkiye’s defence and security policy in Africa. This study states that Türkiye's internal and international factors shape Türkiye's defence and security policy in Africa. The main research question in this study is as follows: What factors and dynamics affect and shape Türkiye's African defence and security policy?

How to cite: Sıradağ, A. (2025). Understanding Turkey's New Security Policy towards Africa: New Dynamics, and New Approaches, Turkish Journal of African Studies, Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 19-32.

How to download: https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/tujas/issue/91416/1650447  

 

Research Article: Turkey as a New Security Actor in the Horn of Africa

  

Abstract:

Due to having unique geographical location, the Horn of Africa is one of the most important strategic regions in the world. Thanks to the geo-political and geo-economic importance of the region, global and regional actors have continuously maintained their strategic relations with this region throughout history. Despite the existence of structural political, economic, and security crises in the region, significant political and economic transformation has emerged throughout the region after the 2000s. This study argues whether Turkey’s increasing security cooperation with the Horn of Africa has contributed to the political, economic, and military transformation of the countries in the region. Since 2011, Turkey has implemented a multi-faceted and proactive foreign policy to strengthen its strategic relations with the Horn of Africa. This article found that Turkey’s lack of a history of exploitation and active humanitarian aid policy of Turkey in Africa have paved the way for the emergence of the establishment of strong and long-term strategic partnerships with the countries in the Horn of Africa.

Keywords: Turkey, AK Party, Africa, Horn of Africa, Security, Foreign Policy

Citation:

Sıradağ, A. (2024). “Turkey as a New Security Actor in the Horn of Africa,” Afrika Havzası ve Afrika Medeniyetleri Dergisi, 6(1): 7-18.

The link to download:

https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/akaf/issue/85984/1509431

Kitap Bölümü: "Türkiye’nin Afrika’ya yönelik küresel rekabetteki konumu nasıl ifade edilebilir?"

Özet: 

Afrika kıtası sahip olduğu jeo-ekonomik ve jeo-politik öneminden dolayı dünya politikasındaki stratejik yeri ve önemi her gün artmaktadır. Özellikle Afrika’daki eski Batılı sömürü ülkeleri, yeni küresel ve bölgesel aktörlerin kıtadaki aktif politikaları karşısında 2000 sonrası Afrika kıtasındaki stratejik rollerini yeniden tanımlama ihtiyacı içerisine girmişlerdir. Afrika ülkeleri 2000 sonrası Batının ırkçı ve yıkıcı tarihlerinden dolayı ve kendi ekonomik ve siyasi özgürlüklerini gerçek anlamda tamamlamak için yeni aktörlerle işbirliği içerisine girmişlerdir. Türkiye’nin kıtada sömürü tarihi olmaması ve güçlü insani ve kalkınma yardım projeleri gibi sebeplerden ötürü kıtadaki çoğu ülkelerle kısa süre içerisinde çok güçlü stratejik işbirliği alanları geliştirmiştir. Afrika ülkeleri özellikle yeni aktörlerle doğru stratejik ilişkiler geliştirebilirse ve bu ilişkilerin etkisi ile kendi iç dinamiklerini siyasi ve ekonomik güçlenmeleri yönünde kullanabilirlerse kıtanın ekonomik büyümesi ve stratejik gücü 21. Yüzyılda daha fazla olacaktır.

Kaynak: 

Sıradağ, A. (2024). Türkiye’nin Afrika’ya Yönelik Küresel Rekabetteki Konumu Nasıl İfade Edilebilir? Sıvış, E ve Aydın, H. (Ed), "50 Soruda Türkiye-Afrika İlişkileri" içinde, İstanbul: Altınbaş Üniversitesi Yayınları, ss. 310-316.

https://www.nobelyayin.com/kitap_20833.html

Research Article: Turkey’s Foreign Policy Toward Africa: Three Levels of Analysis

Abstract: 

Turkey has been actively engaged in African politics since the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government announced the year 2005 as the Year of Africa. The strategic importance of Africa for Turkey has significantly increased during the AK Party governments. The number of Turkey–Africa studies done both in Turkey and in the West has increased since 2010, but most of these studies dealt with Turkish foreign policy toward Africa from a narrow perspective. This study highlights that there are complicated, hidden, and interrelated factors and dynamics driving Turkey–Africa relations. In particular, the systematic factors are the most overlooked dynamics in the studies carried out. This study endeavors to explore these complicated dynamics in a systematic and holistic approach by using the three levels of analysis. The main research question in the study is, “What are the individual, state, and systemic factors shaping Turkish foreign policy toward Africa?” In this research, primary and secondary sources and the “process-tracing research method” were used.

Keywords: 

Turkey, Africa, Turkey–Africa relations, Turkish foreign policy, AK Party governments, new global system.

Sıradağ, A. ( December 2023). Turkey's Foreign Policy toward Africa: Three Levels of Analysis, Journal of Asian and African Studies - JAAS), (SSCI and Scopus).

 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/00219096231215686 

Research Article: Turkey's Growing Role as a Security Actor in Somalia: Dynamics and Motivations

Abstract

Somalia has a special place in the foreign policy of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), which has been in power since November 2002. Turkey's relations with Somalia started to develop after the official visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Somalia on 19 August 2011, who was the prime minister at that time, to support Somalis affected by severe drought and civil war. After 2011, Turkey launched one of the largest humanitarian aid campaigns in Somalia. Turkey has not only developed a soft power policy in Somalia but also started to implement a hard power policy. In this respect, Turkey has been training hundreds of Somali soldiers and police in both Ankara and Mogadishu since 2012. At the same time, Turkey opened its largest military base abroad in Somalia in 2017. This research explores the reasons and dynamics behind Turkey's deepening of its security policy in Somalia and sheds light on what Turkey's security policy means for Somalia. The research argues that there is a combination of factors driving Turkey's security policy towards Somalia, including socio-cultural, economic, and geopolitical. This study examines Turkey's security policy with a holistic approach, using conceptual and theoretical perspectives.

Keywords: Turkey, Somalia, Africa, Security, Justice and Development Party (AK Party), Foreign Policy.

Sıradağ, A. (October 2022). Turkey's Growing Role as a Security Actor in Somalia: Dynamics and Motivations, Journal of Academic Inquiries (JAI), Vol. 17, No. 2, pp. 389-404.

https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/akademikincelemeler/issue/72909/1115931 

Research Article: The Rise of Turkey’s Soft Power in Africa: Reasons, Dynamics, and Constraints

 

Abstract

Since 2005, with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) governments, the African continent has gained great importance in Turkish Foreign Policy. Turkey's soft power policy is one of the most important tools in the development of multilateral relations with Africa. Turkey has been making significant cooperation with African countries in the fields of military and defense in recent years. For example, Turkey's largest overseas military base was opened in Somalia in 2017. However, Turkey's soft power prepares a very important strategic ground for deepening relations with the continent in the political, economic, social, and security fields. The ruling AK Party governments have moved Turkey's relations with Africa from an ideological dimension to a strategic one, revealing that the African continent has a strategic meaning for Turkey. The research argues that Turkey’s soft power strategy toward Africa has been influenced by several factors and dynamics including historical, geographical, political, and economic. This study aims to contribute to the literature by analyzing Turkey’s soft power policy in Africa in a conceptual framework and holistic approach.

Keywords: Turkey, Africa, Justice and Development Party (AK Party), Soft Power, Turkish Foreign Policy. 

Sıradağ, A. (August 2022). The Rise of Turkey’s Soft Power in Africa: Reasons, Dynamics, and Constraints, International Journal of Political Studies, Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 1-14.

 https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/icps/issue/72403/1117810 

Kitap bölümü: 21. Yüzyılda Türkiye-Afrika İlişkileri

 

Özet: 

Afrika kıtasının dünya politikasındaki stratejik önemi 21. yüzyılda artarak devam etmektedir. Afrika, özellikle sahip olduğu jeo-politik konumu, dinamik genç nüfusu ve zengin yeraltı ve yerüstü kaynakları gibi özelliklerinden dolayı 21. yüzyılda küresel ve bölgesel aktörler için vazgeçilmez bir stratejik kıtadır. Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisinin 2002 yılında iktidara gelmesi ile Türk dış politikasında köklü değişim ve dönüşüm yaşanmıştır. Özellikle AK Partinin dış politikasında çok boyutlu dış politika ilkesi komşu bölge ve bölge-dışı ülkelerle stratejik ilişkilerin geliştirilmesinde çok önemli bir rol oynamaktadır. Bu bağlamda, Afrika kıtası 2000’li yıllardan itibaren Türkiye’nin dış politikasında çok özel bir yer bulmaya başlamış ve 2008 yılında Türkiye, Afrika Birliği Zirvesi’nde kıtanın stratejik ortağı olarak kabul edilmiştir. Bu çalışma Türkiye’nin 2000 sonrası Türkiye-Afrika ilişkilerini incelemekte ve bu ilişkilere yön veren sebep ve dinamikleri analiz etmektedir.     

Sıradağ, A. (2023). "21. Yüzyılda Türkiye-Afrika İlişkileri," 21'inci Yüzyılda Türkiye'nin Dış Politikası, (Editör: Ramazan Erdağ). Ankara: KADİM Yayınları, ss. 241-255.

https://www.kadimyayinlari.com/kitap/346

 New Article with Prof. Dr. Gerrit Olivier was published in BusinessDay.

"Turkey’s evolving foreign policy offers South Africa a unique opportunity"

Though Turkey does not figure in the first circle of SA’s foreign policy, bilateral relations are nevertheless pragmatic, but lack a discernible strategic rationale. That depiction is restricted mainly to “ideological” or “struggle” partners and “permanent friends” such as China, Russia, Cuba, Palestine and most African countries. Apart from relations with China, Russia and some Southern African states, these bilateral relations mostly do not add to SA’s national interests, particularly with regard to enhancing the country’s declining economy, political influence and prestige as an international role player. The message is clear:  SA’s diplomacy should make way for a more nimble approach to take advantage of opportunities and challenges in pursuit of rewarding permanent interests rather than dysfunctional ideological pursuits.

https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/opinion/2021-06-07-turkeys-evolving-foreign-policy-offers-sa-a-unique-opportunity/ 

 

Interviewed by Journalist Annegina Randewijk from Nederlands Dagblad on 6 April 2021, Tuesday

 Wie krijgt na China voet aan de grond in Afrika: de EU of misschien wel Turkije?

(After China, who will gain a foothold in Africa: the EU or perhaps Turkey?)

https://www.nd.nl/nieuws/buitenland/1030373/welke-grootmacht-krijgt-de-meeste-voet-aan-de-grond-in-afrika-c

New article: Turkey’s Engagement with the African Organisations: Partner or Competitor?

 

    Abstract

Turkey has been among one of the most active players in African politics over the last decade. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) governments have changed the traditional foreign policy approach towards Africa. Turkey has sought to develop its strategic relations with non-Western regional and sub-regional organisations during the AK Party governments. In this regard, Turkish Embassy in Addis Ababa was accredited to the African Union (AU) and other sub-regional African organisations since 2005. In this research, the main question is ‘why has Turkey deepened and widened its strategic relations with African regional and sub-regional organizations?’ This research will scrutinise Turkey’s engagement with the African organisations by employing a theoretical approach and a holistic approach. According to the findings of this research, Turkey has changed its traditional approach towards African politics and played a dynamic role in establishing a new global order despite persistent challenges in the world.

Keywords Turkey, Turkish foreign policy, African Union (AU), African               Organisations, cooperation, foreign policy

How to cite:

Sıradağ, A. (October 2020) Turkey's Engagement with the African Organizations: Partner or Competitor? India Quarterly: A Journal of International Affairs, Vol. 76, No. 4, pp. 1-16.

Please click the link below to find out more information about my article: 

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0974928420963321

The dynamics shaping Turkish African Policy and Turkey’s Approach towards the Western Sahara Conflict

AFRICANA STUDIA

Revista Internacional de Estudos Africanos/ International Journal of African Studies

The Centre of African Studies of Porto University (CEAUP)
Centro de Estudos Africanos da Universidade do Porto (FLUP)

Abstract:

This research examines the factors and the dynamics that shape Turkish Foreign Policy (TFP) towards Africa. The study highlights that there are the five important factors affecting TFP in Africa. The first factor is that Turkey’s historical legacy has paved the way for strengthening relations with Africa. The second factor is that the changing domestic dynamics in Turkey has been a significant driving force to engage with the African continent. The third dynamic is a new geopolitical balance of power emerged in the region of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in 2011 that forced Turkey to look for the new economic and political allies in Africa. The last factor is the impact of globalization. Due to the process of globalization, Turkish NGOs, think tanks, and economic associations have become more active players in shaping TFP towards Africa.

This research also explains Turkish foreign policy approach towards the Western Sahara conflict. Turkey’s strong economic and political relations with Morocco has limited Turkey’s active involvement towards the Western Sahara conflict. Furthermore, the many actors’ involvement in the conflict undermines Turkey’s engagement in the Western Sahara.

Keywords: Turkey, Africa, Turkish foreign policy, Western Sahara conflict

How to cite: Sıradağ, A. (2018). The dynamics shaping Turkish African Policy and Turkey’s Approach towards the Western Sahara Conflict. Africana Studia, Vol. 29, pp. 157-167.

Please visit the below links to find out more about the article:

https://eds.b.ebscohost.com/eds/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=fef39c9c-8cc8-4bb2-8b17-e2bbe955efcb%40pdc-v-sessmgr02&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmU%3d#db=asn&AN=137885105

http://www.africanos.eu/index.php/en/africana-studia-2/numeros-anteriores/860-africana-studia-n%C2%BA-29-saara-ocidental-as-pol%C3%ADticas-do-impasse

The role of the Turkish NGOs in Somalia: Connections or disruptions

The University of Edinburgh's Centre of African Studies, the 8th European Conference on African Studies, Scotland, the United Kingdom, 13 June 2019.

Author:

Abdurrahim Siradag (King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM)) 

Paper short abstract:

Turkey has been developing a new pattern in the field of soft power politics in Africa. This paper will discuss a number of significant questions regarding the Turkish NGOs' involvement in Somalia and explore the main dynamics and the reasons behind its involvement.

Paper long abstract:

Turkey has been one of the most visible actors in African politics in recent years. It has not only developed its relations with Africa in the fields of high politics, but also strengthened its relations in the fields of low politics. Turkey has increased the number of its diplomatic missions across the continent from 12 to 41. At the same time, while Turkey's total trade with Africa was around 5 billion USD in 2003, it reached to 21 billion USD in 2018. In addition, Turkey opened its largest overseas military base in Somalia in 2015. Turkey has been developing a new pattern in the field of soft power politics in Africa. Somalia has been a unique place for the Turkish NGOs that have been actively interacted with the local people. Importantly, Turkish NGOs are not only providing humanitarian aid in Somalia, but also implementing a set of significant initiatives creating job opportunities for the local people and supporting the small-scale enterprises. Why have been Turkish NGOs actively and fearlessly involved in the social projects in Somalia that is among the most dangerous countries in the world? What are the forces driving the process of the Turkish NGOs in Somalia? This paper will discuss a number of significant questions regarding the Turkish NGOs' involvement in Somalia and explore the main dynamics and the reasons behind its involvement.

Please visit the below links to find out more:

https://ecasconference.org/2019/doi

https://ecasconference.org/2019/downloads/ecas2019_programme.pdf

https://www.nomadit.co.uk/conference/ecas2019/paper/49467 

Turkey-Africa alliance: Evolving patterns in security relations

Abstract:

Turkey has maintained its strategic relations with Africa at the highest level under recent AK Party governments in the field not only of low politics but also of high politics. For example, it opened its largest overseas military base in Somalia in 2017 and signed military, defense and security pacts with more than 25 African countries. This article traces the deep historical and cultural relations with Africa behind its newly evolving foreign policy identity, arguing that its booming economic power has been a significant driving force in shaping a new security strategy. It examines what the growing security involvement means for both Turkey and Africa in order to contribute to the relevant literature through a holistic approach from both theoretical and conceptual perspectives.

KEYWORDS: Turkey, Africa, security, Turkish foreign policy, Turkey-Africa security relations, international relations theory

https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/DPvMTvWZB3xugFAwMuyF/full

To cite this article: Sıradağ, A. (2018).Turkey-Africa alliance: Evolving patterns in security relations, African Security Review, Vol. 3-4, No. 27, pp. 308-325 (ESCI, Web of Science).

Turkiye-Somali Iliskileri: Sebepler, Dinamikler ve Meydan Okumalar

Ozet:

Turkiye-Somali ilişkileri 2011 yılından sonra gelişmeye başlamıştır. 2011 yılında Turkiye 1991 yılında guvenlik gerekcesi ile kapattığı Somali buyukelciliğini yeniden acmıştır. 2016 yılında ise Turkiye Somali’de bir askeri us inşa etmiştir. Turkiye 2011 yılından sonra bu ulke ile ilişkilerini derinleştirmek icin cok yonlu ve cok boyutlu bir dış politika modelini uygulamaya koymuştur. Bu calışmada Turkiye-Somali ilişkilerinin gelişmesine yon veren temel sebep ve dinamikler analiz edilecektir. Ayrıca bu araştırmada şu sorulara da cevap aranacaktır: Turkiye’nin Somali ile artan ilişkileri Turkiye’nin Afrika ve Ortadoğu’daki jeopolitik gucunu nasıl etkileyecektir? Turkiye nicin Somali’deaskeri bir guc kurma ihtiyacı duymuştur?

Anahtar Kelimeler: Turkiye, Somali, Afrika, Turk Dış Politikası, AK

Parti.

Webpage: https://www.nobelkitap.com/ortadogu-yilligi-2016-346730.html

Alinti: Sıradağ, A. (2017). Turkiye-Somali Iliskileri: Sebepler, Dinamikler ve Meydan Okumalar (Turkey-Somali Relations: Causes, Dynamics and Challenges). Ortadogu Yilligi 2016 (Middle East Yearbook 2016), (Editorler: Kemal Inat ve Muhittin Ataman). Ankara: Kadim Yayinlari (KADIM Publications), (in Turkish),  pp. 497-713.

Turkiye’nin Afrika Politikasi (Türk Dis Politikasi Yilligi 2017)

GIRIŞ

Türkiye 2017’de Afrika ile siyasi, ekonomik, sosyal ve güvenlik ilişkilerini en güçlü düzeyde devam ettirmiştir. Fetullahçı Terör Örgütü’nün (FETÖ) 15 Temmuz 2016’daki başarısız darbe girişiminin ardından Türkiye Afrika’yla siyasi ve diplomatik ilişkilerini en yüksek seviyeye çıkararak bu kıtada FETÖ okullarının kapatılması için önemli adımlar atmıştır. Bu bağlamda Türkiye yoğun diplomasi faaliyetlerinin sonucu olarak Afrika’daki yirmi beş farklı ülkede FETÖ okullarının faaliyetlerinin sonlandırılmasını sağlamış ve diğer Afrika ülkelerinde de bu okulların kapatılması için yoğun bir siyasi ve diplomatik çalışma yürütmeye devam etmiştir. Türkiye’nin Afrika Politikası Ankara 2017’de Afrika’da sadece FETÖ yapılanmasına karşı mücadele etmemiş ayrıca kıta ile ekonomi, enerji, güvenlik ve insani kalkınma yardımları alanlarında da çok yoğun bir çalışma programı düzenlemiştir. Kıta ile sürdürülen ilişkilerin kurumsallaşarak daha da güçlenmesi amacıyla 2017’de gerek bakanlıklar gerekse Cumhurbaşkanlığı düzeyinde çeşitli Afrika ülkelerine çok önemli ziyaretler yapılmıştır. Bu bağlamda Cumhurbaşkanı Recep Tayyip Erdoğan 2017’de Afrika’da altı ülkeye resmi ziyaret düzenlemiştir. 2017’de yürütülen Türkiye-Afrika ilişkileri Afrika kıtasının Türk dış politikasının ayrılmaz bir stratejik parçası olduğunu ortaya koymuş ve ilişkilerin artık kurumsallaşma dönemine girdiğini göstermiştir. Bu çalışmada Türkiye’nin 2017 Afrika politikası incelenmiş ve Ankara’nın buradaki varlığının temel dinamiklerinin ne olduğu sorusuna cevap aranmıştır.

Webpage: https://www.setav.org/turk-dis-politikasi-yilligi-2017/

Alinti: Sıradağ, A. (2018). Turkiye’nin Afrika Politikasi (Türk Dis Politikasi Yilligi 2017) (Turkish Foreign Policy Yearbook 2017), (Editörler: Burhanettin Duran, Kemal İnat, Mustafa Caner). Ankara: Seta Yayınları (SETA Publications) (in Turkish), pp. 399-418.

Turkey-South Africa Relations: Changing Dynamics in Turkish Foreign Policy

Abstract

Even though Turkey has a strong historical relationship with the Republic of South Africa dating back to the 19th century, its historical and political relations with the Republic of South Africa remained very limited since the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923. When the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) came to power in October 2002, the traditional dynamics of Turkish foreign policy changed significantly. The ruling party explored new political, economic and social instruments so as to increase its relations with South Africa. The AK Party has combined elements of constructivist and realist approaches in its foreign policy activism, focusing on restoring the damaged historical relations with African countries and strengthening economic and trade relations with them. This article argues that there is a mixture of motivations behind increasing the bilateral relations between the two states. Also, this research will focus on how geopolitical, geoeconomic and historical factors play an important role in the development of relations between the two countries.

Keywords: Ottoman State, Turkey, South Africa, Turkish foreign policy, history, politics, economics, geopolitics.

How to cite the article:

Sıradağ, A. (2017). Turkey-South Africa Relations: Changing Dynamics in Turkish Foreign Policy. Eurasian Studies Journal (Avrasya Etudleri), Vol. 51, No. 1, pp. 7-28.

The link that you can download the article:

http://www.tika.gov.tr/upload/2017/YAYINLAR/Avrasya%20Et%C3%BCdleri/Avrasya%20Et%C3%BCdleri%20(51.%20say%C4%B1).pdf

Turkish-Somalia relations: changing state identity and foreign policy

Abstract

This article will examine the driving dynamics behind the increasing relations between Turkey and Somalia. Turkey has been an important actor on the African politics since the AK Party (Justice and Development Party) came to power in 2002. For instance, while Turkey only had 12 embassies across the continent until 2005, it currently has 35. Turkey is today among the countries in the world having one of the most diplomatic missions on the African continent. Turkey’s economic relations with the continent have also changed significantly. Whereas Turkey’s total trade with Africa was 2 billion dollars in 2005, it is presently about 22 billion dollars. Importantly, Turkey is aiming to increase her total trade with Africa up to 50 billion dollars until 2020. Furthermore, Turkish NGOs are actively involved in many humanitarian projects in the different African countries. Turkey has particularly paid a great deal of attention to increasing political, economic and social relations with Somalia during the AK Party government. This article argues that the AK Party has been establishing a new foreign policy identity and transforming the parameters of the traditional Turkish foreign policy through the social interactions with Somalia.

Keywords

AK Party, Turkey, Somalia, Africa, Foreign Policy, Politics, Economics, History.

Please click the below link for downloading the article.

file:///C:/Users/PC/Downloads/86-243-1-PB.pdf

http://inquiry.ius.edu.ba/index.php/Inquiry/article/view/86

Erdogan’s visit in East Africa: New Strategies and New Threats

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has started his offical visits in East Africa including Tanzania, Mozambique and Madagaskar scheduled on 22-26 January 2017. Erdogan has become the first president visiting Mozambique and Madagaskar at the presidential level since Turkey was established in 1923. Erdogan is making his African visit with a large delegation from Turkish politicians and Turkish business circles. Erdogan’s visit in East Africa is giving a strong message to the Western world that Turkey has actively continued to be an active player on the international stage and taking its foreign policy decisions independently despite new security challenges and the new political developments in Turkey. What does Erdogan’s current visit in East Africa mean for Turkey?

There are political, economic, historical and security dynamics behind the Erdogan’s current visit in East Africa. The first dynamics is that Turkey has developed a new foreign policy strategy since the ruling AK Party government came to power in Turkey in November 2002. According to the new Turkish foreign policy, Turkey ought to diversify its foreign relations, play active role in world politics, open new economic spaces for the Turkish business circles and reduce its dependency on the West. In this regard, Africa has been one of the most important strategic areas for Turkish foreign policy after 2002. For instance, Turkey has increased the number of its embassies across the continent from 12 to 39. Turkey has also aimed to increase the current number of its embassy across the African continent in the following years. Turkey had a western-oriented foreign policy during the Cold war era, which limited its foreign policy power around the world. However, Turkey has actively begun to develop new strategic relations with different regions and different continents during the period of the AK Party administration. Erdogan’s visit in East Africa implies that Turkey has institutionalized the policy of diversification of its foreign policy and has determined its foreign policy decisions independently derived from its national interests.

The second dynamics is that Turkey has targeted to deepen its economic relations with the African states since 2002. A crowded business circle has always been accompanying the Erdogan’s visits in Africa including the current one. This is meaning that Erdogan wants to find new economic markets and opportunities for the Turkish businessmen. Developing economic relations has been a strategic purpose for the new Turkish foreign policy. Turkey has been a rising economic power since 2002, became the 16^th largest economic power as well as the 6^th largest economic power in Europe. Turkey’s total economic trade with the African states has been increasing since 2002, jumped from 2 billion to 18 billion. However, Turkey’s total trade with Africa has begun to reduce since 2011 due to the world economic crisis of 2007 and the impact of the Arab Spring. Erdogan with his recent visit over the states in East Africa has purposed to revitalize Turkish economy which began to slow down since 2011.

Another important point behind the Erdogan’s visit is that Turkey has intended to create a new security policy by making new deals with the African states in the fields of defense and security. In this regard, Turkey has made new deals with many African countries in the fields of defense and security since 2005. Turkey also signed a defense and security deal with Tanzania during the Erdogan’s recent visit. Importantly, Turkey has been recently taking a critical steps in decreasing its dependency on the West in the areas of defense and security. While Turkey imported 90 percent of its weapons from the West, in particular from the U.S., this rate is now down to 40 percent. Turkey’s target for 2023 is fully t produce the weapons Turkey uses and to be among the most important states in the fields of defense and security. Turkey has recently taken strategic steps in increasing its defense and security capacity in world politics. For example, it has established a military base in Somalia in 2016 which is a strategic importance for the world powers. These developments are potentially making an important contribution to increasing to Turkey’s strategic power in world politics.

Historical dimension is also critical for understanding Erdogan’s recent visit in East Africa. In particular, developing relations with the countries in East Africa is important for Turkey due to Turkey’s historical relations over the region. The Ottoman state had a deep religious, political and security relations with the region in East Africa, which played a critical role in preventing the expansionist policy of Portugal in East Africa in the 16^th century and provided a significant political, economic and political support to the Muslim Sultanates in this region. In this regard, Erdogan and the ruling party has been paying a significant attention to increasing bilateral relations with the states in East Africa due to its historical relations in the region. According to the new Turkish foreign policy parameters, Turkey needs to maintain its relations with the places where the Ottoman state had a strong relationship. Furthermore, Turkey ought to play a more active role in African politics due to the fact that Turkey is located in a dynamic geographical place in world politics. While Turkey only had one identity in its foreign policy during the Cold War era, “Euro-Afroasian identity” became a new foreign policy identity of the new Turkey, which forces it to become a more active and dynamic player on the international stage. The last dynamics is that Turkey has been living extraordinary political and security developments since the 15^th of July in 2016. Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) attempted to topple the democratically elected government in Turkey through the military coup in July 2016. FETO has a deep political, economic and social relations over the African states through its schools, its business circles and its civil society organizations. Erdogan with this visit is also aiming to reduce its power over the states in East Africa.

As a conclusion, even though Turkey has been recently facing new security threats and challenges, Turkey has endured and played active role in world politics. Since 2002, Turkey has been actively maintaining its political, economic and security relations with Africa. “Continuity” has been an important component of the new Turkish foreign policy during the AK Party administration. Turkey’s relations with Africa is strongly demonstrating that Turkey has diversified its foreign policy orientation and taking its foreign policy decisions according to its national interests.   

Explaining the Conflict in Central African Republic: Causes and Dynamics

Abstract

Since the Central African Republic (CAR) gained independence from France in 1960 it has faced deep social, economic and political crises. The country has witnessed 10 military coup attempts between 2005 and 2015, which have aggravated political and economic development of the CAR. The most recent by leader of the Seleka coalition group, Michel Djotodia, against the government of Bozize in March 2013 that saw hundreds of thousands displaced and thousands killed. Although the violence in the CAR partially polarized Muslims and Christians, we argue in this paper that the driver of the conflict in the CAR is more a struggle for power among political elite. The aim is to explain the main motivations behind the political crisis and the changing dynamics of the violent conflict in the CAR.

Keywords

Central African Republic; Africa; France; Seleka; Anti-balaka; Religion; Security; Conflict.

Citation:

Sıradağ, A. ( 2016 December). Explaining the Conflict in the Central African Republic: Causes and Dynamics. Epiphany: Journal of Transdisciplinary Studies, Vol. 9, No. 3, pp. 86-103.

http://epiphany.ius.edu.ba/index.php/epiphany/article/view/246  

http://epiphany.ius.edu.ba/index.php/epiphany/issue/view/18