Speaking at the "Türkiye-Africa Media Forum" held in İstanbul by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, the Presidency’s Head of Communications, Fahrettin Altun, stated that they considered the Forum a strategic and highly meaningful meeting point in the field of communication and media relations between Türkiye and African countries.
Expressing their belief that the Forum will further strengthen the existing robust collaborations, Head of Communications Altun said that they would delve deeply into Türkiye-Africa media relations with their African friends, esteemed panellists, and experts who are dedicated to Africa and would determine new and strong steps to be taken within a common vision.
Head of Communications Altun stated that while taking these steps, they would proceed with an understanding that considers not only the strategic cooperation perspective but also historical and cultural ties and their fraternal bonds.
Head of Communications Altun pointed out that under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's leadership over the past 23 years, relations based on equal partnership, mutual benefit, trust, and brotherhood have evolved from the "African Initiative" to the "Africa Partnership Policy." He stated that Türkiye, at the behest of President Erdoğan, joined the African Union as an observer in 2005, which was declared the "Year of Africa," and was recognised as a "strategic partner" in 2008.
Head of Communications Altun remarked that the Türkiye-Africa Partnership Summits, initially convened in İstanbul in 2008, followed by Malabo in 2014, and once more in İstanbul in 2021, solidified connections with the African continent and laid a robust groundwork for future collaboration.
"The number of our embassies across the African continent has risen from 12 to 44"
Head of Communications Altun stated that President Erdoğan has made more than 50 visits to 31 African countries so far, emphasising, "These high-level visits are a clear manifestation of the importance of the African continent to our country, as well as its desire to maintain and enhance strategic relations based on the win-win principle. Another remarkable indicator is the increase in the number of our embassies. The number of our embassies across the African continent has risen from 12 in 2002 to 44 today. And the number of African embassies in Ankara has risen from 10 in 2008 to 38."
Underlining that in addition to the strong diplomatic relations they have established, Türkiye has built and will continue to build strong partnerships with the African continent in many areas, including trade, investment, education, culture, security, and military cooperation, Head of Communications Altun added:
"To date, we have made significant strides in enhancing our contractual relationships with African countries by signing Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreements with 49 countries, bilateral promotion and protection of investments agreements with 32 countries, double taxation avoidance agreements with 17 countries, military framework agreements with 35 countries, military training cooperation agreements with 21 countries, and defense industry cooperation agreements with 29 countries. Türkiye also strengthens and contributes to the stability of the continent through humanitarian aid and development projects. Our ministries, along with institutions and organisations such as Turkish Airlines, TİKA, the Turkish Red Crescent, the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation, the Türkiye Maarif Foundation, the Yunus Emre Institute, and African House, as well as our NGOs, continue their collaborations with our African friends, utilising all their expertise and resources while creating new areas of cooperation."
"Our Maarif Foundation is fighting decisively against FETO"
Stating that Turkish Airlines strengthens relations between Türkiye and the African continent and enhances cultural interaction by operating flights to 41 countries and 62 destinations in the continent, Head of Communications Altun added, "Our Maarif Foundation, established as a manifestation of Anatolian wisdom, with a philosophy of education based on love for humanity, solidarity, and sharing, is leading an educational mobilisation in the region through educating students, developing curricula, and training teachers while also taking resolute steps in the fight against FETO." Our African friends are wholeheartedly standing by us as companions in this struggle."
Head of Communications Altun continued:
"President Erdoğan's calls for 'A fairer world is possible' and 'The world is bigger than five,' driven by the desire to change the unjust global system, echo the voices of justice and freedom rising from the depths of history. Drawing strength from this echo, rather than intervening in the internal affairs of African countries, we strive to contribute to the continent’s peace as well as the establishment of justice and freedom through our role as a mediator. The success of our President’s leader-to-leader diplomacy and Türkiye’s mediation capabilities have positioned our country as a stabilising force in Africa."
Head of Communications Altun pointed to the fact that the Ankara Declaration, signed last December in Ankara by the leaders of Somalia and Ethiopia, is a clear example of this and added that as an outcome of this agreement, the technical delegations of both countries completed the first round of negotiations in Ankara ten days ago.
Head of Communications Altun highlighted Türkiye's commitment to producing “African solutions to African problems” as a means to unlock Africa's vast potential.
Noting that this approach also guides their perspective on media and communication, Head of Communications Altun said: "We firmly believe that the global media ecosystem should operate on the foundations of truth and justice and that Africa must be represented authentically and accurately in global media, through its own voice. It is our aspiration that Africa be represented with its true colors, true potential, and dynamism rather than the negative aspects such as wars and diseases. We remain committed to this vision. This is what we are fighting for. Unfortunately, today, Africa is often portrayed in the Western mainstream media through a lens that is biased, prejudiced, filled with stereotypes, manipulative, and disinformative."
"Türkiye is fully prepared to share experiences with Africa"
Stating that they are confronted with a distorted narrative regime, Altun said, "To dismantle this regime, we must undoubtedly build a strong, independent, and impartial media ecosystem. We must unite in this effort, for it is only through collaboration that Africa can tell its own story in its authentic voice. Türkiye is fully prepared to share experiences with Africa. In this context, we aim to contribute to the narration of this story through joint content production and technical collaborations."
The Head of Communications, Altun, provided insights regarding the contributions made to Africa through the Directorate of Communication, in collaboration with Anadolu Agency and TRT, from a public broadcasting standpoint:
"Since 2018, we have signed cooperation protocols and memoranda of understanding with Senegal, Algeria, Libya, Guinea-Bissau, and Rwanda. We have presented our work titled "Türkiye's Friendly Hand to Africa," featuring a preface by our President, to both the national and international audience. In the Africa-Media Summit held in May 2022, we established a robust platform for intellectual discussion, engaging nearly 450 participants. We provided training to 60 journalists on crisis management, fact-checking, and combating disinformation at the Stratcom Kenya event held in July 2022."
Head of Communications Altun stated that following the flood disaster in Libya in September 2023, they coordinated the press and provided accurate news to the national and international audience and further remarked:
"We have brought the mission of the Oruç Reis Seismic Research Vessel, developed with our national and indigenous capabilities, in Somalia to the attention of the world public through international media. In this context, we facilitated news coverage for 24 distinct international media organisations. TRT Africa, which started its broadcasting journey in 2023 with the aim of "breathing new life with an original perspective into the established perceptions and unidirectional flow of information about the continent," tells the culture, values, and beauties of the continent in Hausa, Swahili, English, and French accurately. And this is done by employing African journalists and through their contributions."
"Anadolu Agency has contributed to the specialization of 377 African media employees"
In addition, Head of Communications Altun noted that TRT Arabic also serves the truth to the international public by conducting accurate and impartial journalism in 8 critical countries of the African continent, emphasising the significance attached to Africa by TRT World through its Africa Desk, which continues its activities with the vision of being a catalyst for positive change in the field of media and communication.
Head of Communication Altun stated that TRT World, which also produces documentaries special to Africa, stands out with its "Africa Matters" program in different countries and regions of the continent. He also said:
"In addition, Anadolu Agency organised over 20 training programmes to facilitate the specialisation of 377 African members of the press. Furthermore, Anadolu Agency has established cooperation agreements with the Nigerian News Agency (NAN), Zimbabwe News Agency (New Ziana), and Algerian News Agency (APS) from the African continent. Anadolu Agency is progressively enhancing these collaborations with each passing day. It is important to highlight that in collaboration with our Directorate of Communication, TRT, and Anadolu Agency, we are committed to addressing the alienating, exclusionary, and prejudicial narratives propagated by international media organisations regarding the nations and peoples of the continent. Through this endeavour, we aim to dismantle the alienating narratives propagated by Western media by emphasising Africa's history, culture, values, and human experiences."
Noting that they consider these efforts and work as a part and parcel of their struggle for truth, "Today, the biggest obstacle faced in our struggle for truth is undoubtedly the growing threat of disinformation. Disinformation is not only a problem for Türkiye or African countries; it is a common issue for all of humanity. Disinformation is primarily a security concern. It is a threat to the very existence of humans. While war, climate change, and economic collapse are urgent matters that require immediate attention from humanity, the issue of disinformation is also of significant importance. Every effort made on a global scale against this threat will contribute to establishing a social order where freedom, stability, justice, and democracy prevail.
Head of Communications Altun stated that the establishment of such a societal structure depends on preventing discrimination, hate speech, social polarization, ideological hostilities, and systematic disinformation campaigns that threaten public order and said disinformation campaigns are among the primary challenges undermining the stability, peace, and prosperity of African societies.
Noting that throughout history, Africa has faced numerous disinformation campaigns Head of Communications Altun stated that, unfortunately, they still witness the continuation of such campaigns by colonial powers targeting the African continent.
Head of Communications Altun underscored that according to a study conducted by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, disinformation content in Africa has increased nearly fourfold since 2022, posing a direct threat to the region’s stability.
"Under the Türkiye Communication Model, we have a comprehensive infrastructure for combating disinformation"
Emphasising that in this regard, extending their strong economic and political relations with Africa to the fields of media and communication will not only strengthen their regional friendship but also make significant contributions to stability, the culture of coexistence, and democracy Head of Communications Altun stated:
"Here today, I am pleased to express that under the Türkiye Communication Model, we have established a comprehensive infrastructure for combating disinformation through education, technology, and communication strategies. Türkiye has also been the victim of malicious, systematic disinformation campaigns in this context and is acutely aware of their potential for harm. In this regard, we are combatting disinformation campaigns by implementing a robust initiative and establishing a solid infrastructure. In this context, we are ready to share our experience, methods, strategies, and evolving technological infrastructure with our African friends and to develop new areas of cooperation. I strongly believe that this cooperation will serve the fight for truth, amplify Africa’s authentic voice, and contribute to sharing its richness with the world."
Head of Communications Altun expressed that Türkiye is privileged to stand alongside all African nations, expressing optimism for the ongoing development of mutual collaborations and a commitment to advancing these efforts under the leadership of President Erdoğan.
Walid Ammar Ellafi, Minister of State for Communication and Political Affairs, Government of National Unity, Libya, Anadolu Agency (AA) Director General and Chairman of the Board Serdar Karagöz, TRT Director General Zahid Sobacı, AA Deputy Director General of Administrative and Financial Affairs Oğuz Enis Peru, AA Academy and Publications Coordinator Yahya Bostan, CEO of the African Union of Broadcasting Gregoire Ndjaka, ambassadors, academicians and members of the national and international press attended the program.
