Türkiye in Africa: Mapping the Contemporary Effects of Ankara’s Footprints in Africa. The Case of Cameroon in the CEMAC Region

Authors

Abstract

In an era of geopolitical gains and building of cooperation among states especially with Africa states, The Republic of Türkiye has made significant in roots in Cameroon which is viewed as the regional hegemon in the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) region. Turkish foreign policy in Africa particularly in Cameroon has resounding implications from diplomatic initiatives, trade partnerships, and burgeoning developmental projects is significantly shaping Cameroons socio-economic landscape. With Turkish officials always professing a “win-win” and having strategic partnership with Africa build on mutual benefits via diplomatic, economic, and socio-cultural exchanges. Through the lens of Ankara-Yaoundé ties, the main purpose of this paper is to analyze the dynamic effects of this relation on Cameroon, a country seen as a regional hegemony in the CEMAC region. Furthermore, the paper looks at some key historical foundation of Türkiye-Cameroon relations. The paper indicates that by assessing the responsive effects of Ankara’s cooperation with Cameroon, it supports Cameroon’s developmental prospects especially its developmental blueprint penned down as “Vision 2035” through the various transformative programs in Cameroon. The article makes use of the middle power theory as its theoretical lens. Lastly, the paper revealed that in the last decade, Turkish foreign policy has significantly improved, particularly in the CEMAC region thanks to the frequent organization of Turkey-Africa Economic and Business summits, Diplomacy, and Partnership Conferences with resounding results for both states.

Keywords: Africa, Cameroon, CEMAC Region, Effects, Türkiye, Foreign Policy.

Download Full Article