Erdoğan sees only fraternity in Africa

LIBREVILLE - Anatolia News Agency

TUrkish PM Erdoğan (3rd L) and his spouse Emine Erdoğan (4th L) are greeted by a group of local dancers during their arrival to Niamey, Niger.

Turkey does not see diamonds in Africa, but rather a common history of friendship and brotherhood, Prime Minister Erdoğan said Jan. 7 while in Gabon on his Africa trip.

“The ones who stole Africa’s diamonds, gold, resources and even people, dooming them to starve, will be judged by history,” Erdoğan said during his speech at the Parliament of Gabon. By highlighting the significance of Africa for humanitarian heritage, Erdoğan emboldened Africans to stand up to those who deprive them of their own resources. He referred to Ottoman culture in his statements, saying it was the symbol of peace and brotherhood in the region at time of its reign, expressing his desire to reincarnate that historical brotherhood among Turkey and Gabon again. A large Turkish business mission and members of the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly (TİM) and Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists of Turkey (TUSKON) are accompanying Erdoğan during his six-day African tour, which continues with talks in Niger that began yesterday.