Erdogan using Covid-19 to gain influence in Africa

Mahmud al-Batakoshi

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is using the coronavirus outbreak in gaining more ground inside the African continent, even as his country had failed in containing the disease, especially with the number of patients surpassing 100,000.

He does this by offering aid to African countries as they battle the same disease, especially medical supplies. This is especially true in the case of Sudan whose relations with Turkey strained after the downfall of Islamist president Omar al-Bashir last year.

Poisons

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, widely known as TIKA, uses the huge funds it receives from the Turkish government in sending aid to other states.

The agency has 30 branches in Africa. It sends medical supplies to African states as they fight the coronavirus, also known as Covid-19.

Sudan is strategically important for Turkey. TIKA’s training center trains Sudanese citizens in the making of essential medical needs, including facemask. The facemasks are then distributed to other parts of Sudan.

The agency also plays a role in satisfying the needs of the different Sudanese regions, including potable water, by digging wells.

Nevertheless, TIKA uses this aid in advancing the Turkish political agenda in Sudan.

Diplomatic mask

Turkish Ambassador in Khartoum, Irfan Nazir Oglu, works hard to establish good contacts with senior Sudanese officials and figures.

Turkey, he always says, is ready to offer economic aid to Sudan so that it can get over its economic hardships.

Turkey also sends medical aid to Somalia. A military cargo ship loaded with medical supplies took off recently from Ankara and landed in Somali capital Mogadishu.

Turkey also uses this aid diplomacy in gaining influence in Somalia.

TIKA also sent aid to the Kingdom of Lesotho, near South Africa.