Turkiye seeks growing influence in Africa

Turkiye seeks growing influence in Africa
Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meeting with Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Antalya, Apr. 12, 2025. (AFP)
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Updated 14 April 2025
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Turkiye seeks growing influence in Africa

Turkiye seeks growing influence in Africa
  • Ivory Coast is keen to work with Turkiye in all sectors, including communications, trade, security and education
  • Turkiye has signed defense agreements with Somalia, Libya, Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Ghana

ISTANBUL: Turkiye has long sought to extend its influence in Africa by mediating in conflicts and building military partnerships with countries on the continent.
Those efforts have picked up speed in recent months with diplomatic successes in resolving local conflicts, and as traditional powers such as France and the United States pull back from the continent, according to analysts and diplomats.
An annual diplomacy forum in the southern Mediterranean resort of Antalya on April 11-13 drew many African officials, including the president of Somalia, as part of Ankara’s efforts to consolidate its foothold in Africa.
“Today African countries are looking for alternatives, and Turkiye represents one of those options, so it has resonated well in Africa,” Professor Eghosa Osaghae, director general of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, who attended the forum, told AFP.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has boosted his international standing after backing rebels who overthrew Syrian ruler Bashar Assad and brokering a key Horn of Africa peace deal between Somalia and Ethiopia.

We have relations with France that we are very proud of. But France doesn’t prevent us from having other partnerships

Kacou Leon Adom, Ivory Coast’s foreign minister

Ankara, which also hosted two rounds of talks between Russia and Ukraine at the start of the war, has often said it is ready to support any initiative leading to peace between its two Black Sea neighbors.
The Antalya forum was also attended by Syria’s new leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha.
For Osaghae, whether Turkiye can fill the vacuum in Africa left by France, which has seen many of its former colonies turn away from it in recent years, would “depend a great deal on how attractive Turkiye’s offers to African states will be.”
Speaking to AFP on the sidelines of the forum in Antalya, Ivory Coast’s foreign minister, Kacou Leon Adom, said: “We have relations with France that we are very proud of. But France doesn’t prevent us from having other partnerships.”
The west African nation is keen to work with Turkiye in all sectors, including communications, trade, security, education, or training, he said.
“All of that interests us. And from this perspective, Turkiye is making us offers, and we will consider them.”
Security challenges
Many African countries are faced with challenges to their security, with groups such as Somalia-based Al-Shabab, Boko Haram from Nigeria and the Lord’s Resistance Army, which originated in Uganda, wreaking havoc.
“If it is possible for Turkiye to give assistance in these areas, why not?” Osaghae said.
“The good thing is that many African countries already have military cooperation with Turkiye. And that can be the building block for Turkish influence.”
Turkiye has signed defense agreements with a number of states spanning the breadth of the continent, including Somalia, Libya, Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Ghana.
Those agreements have opened up contracts for Turkiye’s defense industry, notably for its reputedly reliable and inexpensive drones.

According to Turkish diplomat Alp Ay, Turkiye offers dialogue — he noted its success in getting Somalia and Ethiopia to end a bitter dispute that had sparked fears of conflict in the restive Horn of Africa.
“We are trying to ensure that Africa can find its own solutions to African problems,” said Ay, who works as Ankara’s special representative in negotiations between Somalia and the breakaway Somaliland region.

The good thing is that many African countries already have military cooperation with Turkiye. And that can be the building block for Turkish influence

Eghosa Osaghae, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs

Tension mounted last year after Ethiopia struck a deal with Somaliland — which unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in 1991 in a move not recognized by Mogadishu — to gain access to the sea.
But Ethiopia and Somalia announced a full restoration of diplomatic ties following a December deal mediated by Turkiye.
Ay said the responsibility from now on would be on both sides to uphold the deal but Turkiye would continue to play its facilitator role. “We are hopeful.”
A senior Somali diplomat likewise said Turkiye played “a very assistive role in bringing the two countries together to resolve this issue.”
In a sign of Ankara’s growing influence, Erdogan met his Somali counterpart, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, on Saturday in Antalya.
“I think Turkiye is playing a key role in Somalia,” the Somali diplomat said.
“And it is a positive role. Turkiye is not only involved in security, it is also involved in other developmental projects in Somalia.”
Nigerian political scientist Osaghae said because there are many conflicts in the region, “Africa desperately needs mediators that are not only credible but are capable of doing the kinds of things that Turkish experience suggests.”


Israel defense minister orders army to deploy forces to control fire near Jerusalem

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Israel defense minister orders army to deploy forces to control fire near Jerusalem

Israel defense minister orders army to deploy forces to control fire near Jerusalem
“All available forces must be mobilized to save lives and bring the fires under control,” Katz said

JERUSALEM: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the military on Wednesday to deploy troops to support firefighters battling rapidly spreading wildfires near Jerusalem, calling the situation a “national emergency.”
“We are facing a national emergency, and all available forces must be mobilized to save lives and bring the fires under control,” Katz said in a statement released by the defense ministry. Israel’s rescue agency MDA reported hundreds of civilians were currently at risk from the fires.

UAE, Egypt sign MoU in ‘significant milestone’ for Arab space cooperation

UAE, Egypt sign MoU in ‘significant milestone’ for Arab space cooperation
Updated 30 April 2025
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UAE, Egypt sign MoU in ‘significant milestone’ for Arab space cooperation

UAE, Egypt sign MoU in ‘significant milestone’ for Arab space cooperation
  • Agreement covers joint projects and knowledge exchange in areas such as satellite technology, earth observation and space research
  • Signing coincided with the African Space Agency’s headquarters opening in Cairo

DUBAI: The UAE and Egypt have signed a memorandum of understanding to boost collaboration in peaceful space activities, marking what Emirati officials described as a “significant milestone” in Arab space cooperation, state news agency WAM reported on Wednesday.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 11th meeting of the Arab Space Cooperation Group and the “NewSpace Africa” conference in Cairo, with the UAE delegation led by Salem Butti Al-Qubaisi, director-general of the UAE Space Agency.

“The MoU represents a significant milestone in Arab space cooperation and reflects the UAE’s strategic vision, which sees space as a gateway to sustainable development, knowledge exchange and innovative solutions to shared challenges,” Al-Qubaisi said.

He highlighted that partnering with Egypt reinforced the UAE’s commitment to investing in people, localizing scientific expertise and developing a competitive, innovation-driven knowledge economy. He said that these goals aligned with broader regional ambitions for prosperity and stability.

The MoU establishes a long-term framework for cooperation in civil space programs, including the exchange of expertise, research and technology, and the implementation of joint projects supporting both countries’ sustainable development goals.

Planned areas of collaboration include communications technologies, satellite navigation and timing, Earth observation, remote sensing, space situational awareness, remote asset management and R&D in emerging and advanced technologies.

The UAE delegation also attended the opening ceremony of the African Space Agency’s new headquarters at Egyptian Space City, an event that drew senior officials, ministers and space-sector leaders from across Africa.


At least 12 killed overnight by Israeli strikes in Gaza

At least 12 killed overnight by Israeli strikes in Gaza
Updated 30 April 2025
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At least 12 killed overnight by Israeli strikes in Gaza

At least 12 killed overnight by Israeli strikes in Gaza
  • The pre-dawn strikes hit three houses in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp
  • Israel has carried out daily strikes on Gaza since ending its ceasefire with Hamas last month

At least 12 people including children were killed overnight in Gaza by Israeli strikes, hospital workers said Wednesday.
The pre-dawn strikes hit three houses in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp, according to staff at the Al-Aqsa hospital, which received the bodies. Among the dead were three children, including two brothers whose bodies arrived in pieces, according to the hospital’s morgue.
Israel has carried out daily strikes on Gaza since ending its ceasefire with Hamas last month. It has cut off the territory’s 2 million Palestinians from all imports, including food and medicine, since the beginning of March in what it says is an attempt to pressure the militant group to release hostages.
The strikes come after more than two dozen people were killed earlier this week in Gaza City and Beit Lahiya.
Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza has killed more than 52,000 Palestinians, according to the territory’s Health Ministry.


UAE security services thwart attempt to illegally transfer weapons, military equipment to Sudanese Armed Forces

UAE security services thwart attempt to illegally transfer weapons, military equipment to Sudanese Armed Forces
Updated 30 April 2025
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UAE security services thwart attempt to illegally transfer weapons, military equipment to Sudanese Armed Forces

UAE security services thwart attempt to illegally transfer weapons, military equipment to Sudanese Armed Forces
  • UAE Attorney-General says security forces arrested a cell involved in unauthorized trafficking of military equipment to the Sudanese Armed Forces

ABU DHABI: UAE security services have foiled an attempt to illegally transfer weapons and military equipment to the Sudanese Armed Forces, the UAE's Attorney-General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said on Wednesday.

Al Shamsi stated that the security services succeeded in preventing the transfer of a quantity of military equipment to the Sudanese Armed Forces following the arrest of members of a cell involved in unauthorised mediation, brokering and illicit trafficking of military equipment, without obtaining the necessary licences from relevant authorities.

The defendants were arrested during an inspection of ammunition in a private aircraft at one of the country’s airports.

The plane was carrying approximately five million rounds of (54.7 x 62mm) Goryunov-type ammunition.

Authorities also seized part of the financial proceeds from the deal in the possession of two suspects in their hotel rooms.

Al Shamsi said the investigation revealed the involvement of cell members from the Sudanese military leaders, including former intelligence Chief Salah Gosh, a former officer of the intelligence agency, a former advisor to the finance minister, and a political figure close to General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and his deputy Yasser Al-Atta. Several Sudanese businessmen were also implicated.

According to investigators, the cell members completed a military equipment deal involving Kalashnikov rifles, ammunition, machine guns, and grenades worth millions of dollars.

The arms were transferred from the Sudanese army to an importing company in the UAE using the HAWALADARS’ transfer method.

The transaction was facilitated through a company owned by a fugitive cell member working for the Sudanese Armed Forces, in coordination with Colonel Othman Al-Zubair, who is in charge of financial operations in the Sudanese military.

Fake contracts and commercial invoices were used to falsely claim the payments were for a sugar import deal.

The investigation concluded that these deals were carried out at the request of the Sudanese Armed Forces’ Armament Committee, chaired by Al-Burhan and his deputy Al-Atta, with their full knowledge and approval. The cell members were directly assigned to broker and finalise the transactions by Ahmed Rabie Ahmed Al-Sayed, a political figure close to the Sudanese Commander-in-Chief and responsible for issuing end-user certificates and approvals.

Investigators confirmed that Salah Gosh played a central role in managing illegal military equipment trafficking within the UAE, in coordination with other cell members.

The group earned $2.6m in profit margin above the actual value of the two deals, which was distributed among themselves and several accomplices. Gosh’s share was found in the possession of suspect Khalid Youssef Mukhtar Youssef, a former intelligence officer and Gosh’s ex-chief of staff.

The seized shipment had arrived at a UAE airport aboard a private aircraft from a foreign country.

The aircraft had landed to refuel and officially declared it was carrying a consignment of medical supplies.

However, the military cargo was discovered under the supervision of the Public Prosecution, based on judicial warrants issued by the Attorney General.

Authorities also seized copies of the contracts related to the two deals, forged shipping documents, as well as audio recordings and messages exchanged among the cell members.

The investigation uncovered several companies owned by a Sudanese-Ukrainian businessman, including one operating in the UAE.

These companies were found to have provided the Sudanese army with weapons, ammunition, grenades, and drones, in collaboration with the cell members and the military’s financial officer.

One of the companies is listed under US sanctions.

The ongoing investigations revealed that the group’s financial interests and profits are closely tied to the continuation of internal conflict in Sudan.

The Attorney-General stressed that this incident represents a grave breach of the UAE’s national security, turning its territory into a platform for illegal arms trafficking to a country experiencing civil strife, in addition to constituting criminal offenses punishable under law.

He concluded by stating that the Public Prosecution is continuing its investigation procedures in preparation for referring the suspects to urgent trial proceedings.

Final results will be announced upon the completion of the investigation.


US official tells UN top court ‘serious concerns’ over UNRWA impartiality

US official tells UN top court ‘serious concerns’ over UNRWA impartiality
Updated 30 April 2025
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US official tells UN top court ‘serious concerns’ over UNRWA impartiality

US official tells UN top court ‘serious concerns’ over UNRWA impartiality

THE HAGUE: A US official on Wednesday told the International Court of Justice there were “serious concerns” about the impartiality of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.
ICJ judges are holding a week of hearings to help them formulate an advisory opinion on Israel’s obligations toward UN agencies delivering aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
“There are serious concerns about UNRWA’s impartiality, including information that Hamas has used UNRWA facilities and that UNRWA staff participated in the October 7th terrorist attack against Israel,” said Josh Simmons from the US State Department legal team.