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