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Abstract
The history of Turkey-Africa relations is the history of development and sustenance of human dignity, freedom, equality and mutual coexistence of states free from exploitation, colonialism and stereotype. Therefore, this study attempts a comparative analysis of Ottoman Empire and modern Turkey relations with Africa in order to identify the core values, benefits and challenges inherent in Turkey's dynamic role in African politics. The study adopted a historical-analytical approach in the comparative evaluation of the variables. The major factors limiting the study and scope of Turkey-Africa relations is lack of available data and insufficient research works resulting in misrepresentations of Turkey's interest and policy options in Africa. The presence of Ottoman Empire in Africa kept away European colonialism and provided the platform of secularism and pluralism in African politics which stimulated the African states to accommodate their politico-religious differences through dialogue and good-faith collaboration. Turkey's unique form of democracy affirms that Islam and democracy are not contradictory but complementary for the political development of modern African nation-states. Thus, Turkey's new international identity positions Turkey as a bridge between Christianity and Islam as well as a buffer against Islamic fundamentalism which promotes the values of co-existence needed for the political development of African states. Turkish educational diplomacy is a source of inspiration for increasing literacy rate in Africa. Thus, Turkey-Africa political relations is more of diplomatic gain than a means of acquiring political power but the negative perception of Africa in international media tends to retard mutual collaboration. Therefore, Turkey's diplomatic relations with Africa if strategically managed will increase the power capability of both blocs in diplomatic negotiations and also in influencing global politics to derive the greatest payoff.
Keywords
Africa, Colonization, Education Diplomacy, Turkey.
Introduction
Prior to 2002, Turkey was seen as a country that was a kind of junior partner to the United States of America, a relatively dependable ally of Western Capitalist nations and a country that sees African from the prismatic stereotype of Anglo-American Capitalist perspectives (Schleifer, 2011). From such stereotyped perspectives, Sub-Saharan Africa has always been seen as a distant geographical region, associated with poverty, hunger, epidemics and civil war. This forms the principal component of identification of sub-Saharan Africa in Western society.
However, with the end of the...