Turkey and the Shifting Geopolitical Sands of North and East Africa

This research paper examines Turkey's strategic efforts to expand its influence in North and East Africa to counter regional isolation and secure energy interests. It focuses on Turkey's military and political support for the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Libya, its diplomatic tensions with Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, and France over Mediterranean exclusive economic zones, and its broader 'Open to Africa' policy exemplified by its deep involvement in Somalia.

• Turkey has sought to regain regional influence following isolation caused by its incursion in Syria and conflicts with Greece and Cyprus, which were exacerbated by a gas exploration partnership between Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt. In January, Greece, Cyprus, and Israel formalized this cooperation by signing the EastMed pipeline agreement.
• In late 2019 and early 2020, Turkey accelerated efforts to influence the Maghreb, signing two memoranda of understanding with Libya regarding military cooperation and the delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Turkey supports President Fayez al-Sarraj of the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) against General Khalifa Haftar’s Libya’s National Army (LNA).
• Turkey's actions in the Mediterranean have created a diplomatic divide; while Turkey and Russia maintain strong economic and energy ties—with Turkey aiming to be an "international energy hub"—a joint communique from Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, and France declared Turkey's agreements with the GNA "null and void" and condemned Turkey's activities in the Cyprus Republic's exclusive economic zone.
• Turkey's 'Open to Africa' policy is most evident in Somalia, where it transitioned from humanitarian aid starting with a 2011 visit to Mogadishu to comprehensive involvement. This includes Turkish firms operating sea ports and airports, and Turkish Airlines providing the first major international airline service to Mogadishu.
• In the Horn of Africa, a rivalry has emerged since the 2017 Gulf crisis, pitting Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt against Qatar and Turkey.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2020). Turkey and the Shifting Geopolitical Sands of North and East Africa. https://saiia.org.za/research/turkey-and-the-shifting-geopolitical-sands-of-north-and-east-africa/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Turkey and the Shifting Geopolitical Sands of North and East Africa. 2020. https://saiia.org.za/research/turkey-and-the-shifting-geopolitical-sands-of-north-and-east-africa/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Turkey and the Shifting Geopolitical Sands of North and East Africa |date=3 February 2020 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/turkey-and-the-shifting-geopolitical-sands-of-north-and-east-africa/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2020turkey, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Turkey and the Shifting Geopolitical Sands of North and East Africa}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2020}, month = feb, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/turkey-and-the-shifting-geopolitical-sands-of-north-and-east-africa/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }