Türkiye’s Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, discussed his country’s growing influence in African diplomacy, particularly in the ongoing peace efforts between Somalia and Ethiopia. Speaking to Bloomberg Television, Fidan emphasized Türkiye’s deepening ties with the African Union, noting that African nations are increasingly seeking diverse international partners. “African leadership is keen to enhance relations with Türkiye because they want to diversify their international partnerships,” Fidan said.
Fidan highlighted the positive progress in Somalia, pointing out that the country is no longer experiencing active armed conflict between regions. “There is no active armed conflict between different regions of Somalia, which I consider a positive development,” he noted. He acknowledged the continuing internal tensions but noted the recent calm following the elections in Somaliland, which he described as an encouraging sign.
In his remarks on the Somali-Ethiopian peace process, Fidan stressed Türkiye’s active role in supporting Somalia in its fight against radical groups like Al-Shabaab. “We are collaborating with the Somali government to combat radical groups such as Al-Shabaab,” Fidan explained, expressing optimism that Somalia’s security issues could be resolved over time with ongoing international support.
The Ankara Declaration, a peace agreement between Somalia and Ethiopia, was praised by Fidan as a key achievement. “The peace deal between Somalia and Ethiopia is a success, and it’s an exemplary case of African nations taking ownership of their own issues,” he said. Fidan stressed the importance of African leadership in addressing the continent’s challenges, underscoring Türkiye’s commitment to assisting in these efforts.