How Turkey quietly became a power broker in Africa
Under Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey has spent two decades building ties with Africa — with a multi-pronged approach that includes establishing embassies, constructing mosques, adding
Under Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey has spent two decades building ties with Africa — with a multi-pronged approach that includes establishing embassies, constructing mosques, adding airline routes, making trade deals and defense pacts, and providing development and military assistance. The clearest example of Turkey's Africa strategy is in Somalia. The country plays a key role in Turkish aspirations for greater energy independence, and now Turkey’s loftier aim: To reach the moon.
In its boldest move yet, Turkey is constructing a spaceport at Warsheikh on the Somali coast. The project has drawn criticism in Israel as a potential threat. Turkey now plays an indispensable role in Somalia, strategically located on the Horn of Africa, especially in its fight against the Islamist Al Shabab insurgency.
0:00 A space base on a Somali beach? 0:32 Turkey's long game in Africa 0:57 The playbook: Trade, aid, drones 3:15 Why smaller is better for Turkey 4:43 Somalia: Turkey's textbook case 5:28 The naval pact and the oil deal 7:54 The
Warsheikh space base 8:59 Missiles, and Israel’s sudden interest in Somaliland 11:03 What happens when Turkey becomes a power broker For more news go to Follow DW on social media ► ►TikTok ► ► Für Videos in deutscher Sprache besuchen Sie Subscribe
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