Siradag, A. (2013). The
Making of the New Turkish Foreign and Security Policy towards Africa: The
Rationale, Roots and Dynamics. Africa Insight, Vol.
43, No. 1, pp. 15-31.
http://reference.sabinet.co.za/document/EJC142216
http://reference.sabinet.co.za/document/EJC142216
Abstract
This article examines the reasons and dynamics behind the
new Turkish foreign and security policy towards Africa. Turkey became actively
involved in African politics after the ruling Justice and Development Party
(AKP) came to power in 2002. For instance, it has opened 19 new embassies
throughout the continent since 2005 and strengthened its institutional
relations with African regional and sub-regional organisations such as the
African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
This article will seek to answer the question as to why Turkey has changed its
foreign and security policy towards Africa since 2002. The main reason is
argued to be that the parameters of Turkish Foreign Policy (TFP) have undergone
a significant change with the AKP. Importantly, the ruling party aims to
develop a multidimensional foreign policy with different regions and
continents. In particular, TFP has started to work with various institutions,
mechanisms and agencies in Africa in order to play a more active role in
African politics. This article will analyse the way TFP has changed in Africa.
