Female diplomats driving Turkey's Africa policy
Turkey's links to African nations form an important part of its foreign policy. Now, ahead of International Women's Day on March 8, four of Ankara's female diplomats to African states spoke to Anadolu Agency (AA) about their overseas work for Turkey.
Aylin Taşhan was appointed as Turkey's ambassador to Mozambique in 2011, making her the first female Turkish ambassador to an African country. "Although living in Africa [has] some risks, such as security and health, I forgot about all the difficulties that I had faced after seeing the rapidly developing relations between the two countries," Taşhan said. A total of 40 percent Mozambique's parliament is composed of female representatives, and women head five out of 22 ministries, including health, labor and state administration. "Despite the great distance, I do not feel so far away from my family and friends in South Africa," she added. Esra Demir, Turkey's ambassador to the Ivory Coast, said her first foreign assignment was to Senegal. She was appointed to the Ivory Coast in 2014, and she feels as excited about her position now as she did on the first day: "I recommend Africa to other Turkish diplomats. Africa is not well known in Turkey, but I think it would be a very good experience for them, despite various deprivations."
Deniz Çakar, the Turkish ambassador in Windhoek, Namibia, said she was very happy when she was appointed to the country. "When I learned that I was appointed to Namibia, I started to search for schools for my son who was in high school. I found a school, breathed a sigh of relief and looked forward to the beginning of my exciting adventure." She also stressed Turkey's strong presence in Africa. "Actually, being appointed to Africa is not a surprise for Turkish diplomats because we have 39 embassies across the 54-nation continent."
The ambassador of Turkey to Uganda, Sedef Yavuzalp, served as the head of West Africa and vice president of East Africa in the Foreign Ministry for four years before being assigned to Kampala. She said she had a good chance to become very familiar with Africa, as well as Turkey's Africa policy during her previous missions. "Turkey's African expansion is one of the most successful areas for our foreign policy. In this context, our Foreign Ministry's Africa General Directorate offers good opportunities in this region," Yavuzalp said. Turkey adopted its Africa Action Plan in 1998, and the government declared 2005 the "Year of Africa." Turkey was granted observer status by the African Union that same year. Then, by 2009, Turkey had only 12 embassies in Africa but that number rose to 39 by 2015. Additionally, 32 African nations have embassies in Ankara. Turkey contributes significantly to humanitarian aid on the African continent, having spent around $800 million on various aid programs in Africa over the past three years. The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) continues its work in the capitals of 12 different African countries by providing technical assistance as well as conducting hundreds of small and medium-size projects.
Aylin Taşhan was appointed as Turkey's ambassador to Mozambique in 2011, making her the first female Turkish ambassador to an African country. "Although living in Africa [has] some risks, such as security and health, I forgot about all the difficulties that I had faced after seeing the rapidly developing relations between the two countries," Taşhan said. A total of 40 percent Mozambique's parliament is composed of female representatives, and women head five out of 22 ministries, including health, labor and state administration. "Despite the great distance, I do not feel so far away from my family and friends in South Africa," she added. Esra Demir, Turkey's ambassador to the Ivory Coast, said her first foreign assignment was to Senegal. She was appointed to the Ivory Coast in 2014, and she feels as excited about her position now as she did on the first day: "I recommend Africa to other Turkish diplomats. Africa is not well known in Turkey, but I think it would be a very good experience for them, despite various deprivations."
Deniz Çakar, the Turkish ambassador in Windhoek, Namibia, said she was very happy when she was appointed to the country. "When I learned that I was appointed to Namibia, I started to search for schools for my son who was in high school. I found a school, breathed a sigh of relief and looked forward to the beginning of my exciting adventure." She also stressed Turkey's strong presence in Africa. "Actually, being appointed to Africa is not a surprise for Turkish diplomats because we have 39 embassies across the 54-nation continent."
The ambassador of Turkey to Uganda, Sedef Yavuzalp, served as the head of West Africa and vice president of East Africa in the Foreign Ministry for four years before being assigned to Kampala. She said she had a good chance to become very familiar with Africa, as well as Turkey's Africa policy during her previous missions. "Turkey's African expansion is one of the most successful areas for our foreign policy. In this context, our Foreign Ministry's Africa General Directorate offers good opportunities in this region," Yavuzalp said. Turkey adopted its Africa Action Plan in 1998, and the government declared 2005 the "Year of Africa." Turkey was granted observer status by the African Union that same year. Then, by 2009, Turkey had only 12 embassies in Africa but that number rose to 39 by 2015. Additionally, 32 African nations have embassies in Ankara. Turkey contributes significantly to humanitarian aid on the African continent, having spent around $800 million on various aid programs in Africa over the past three years. The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) continues its work in the capitals of 12 different African countries by providing technical assistance as well as conducting hundreds of small and medium-size projects.
Last Update: March 07, 2016 21:05