Paper short abstract:

The aim of this communication is to analyze Turkey’s new engagement in Africa. It is argued that Ankara, tends to emphasize its Muslim background and use its Western partners to advance its interests in African countries. Turkey-Africa cooperation can be fruitful in some areas.

Paper long abstract:

As one of the emerging powers engaged in Africa, Turkey has been deepening its commercial links and investments towards the continent. Recently, the country has also provided emergency humanitarian assistance especially in Darfur and Somalia. Turkey's new approach towards African countries comes in the context of the new «scramble for Africa » characterized by the growing activism of emerging powers from developing economies (South-South cooperation). Unlike other emerging countries (namely, China, India and Brazil) attracted by natural resources, Turkey's engagement seems to be more driven by the desire to create markets for its products. More specifically, Turkey tends to mobilize religion as a foreign policy tool. In fact, its reputation as a Muslim and democratic state is appealing. In this perspective, some countries (Muslim) such as Somalia, Sudan can benefit from Ankara's increasing role. However, under current conditions (weak states), several risks are looming: Turkey can be tempted to act unilaterally, Turkish companies could try to exploit weak economies, and Ankara can be instrumentalized by Sudanese or Somali political elite. Turkey faces a dilemma in Africa: how to maintain its pro-democratic reputation and at the same time pragmatically preserve its regional interests.