Turkey's public diplomacy activities in Sub-Saharan Africa after 1998 'Africa Expansion Action Plan'

Sub-Saharan African relations, which did not have continuity in the historical context with the 'Africa Expansion Action Plan' adopted in 1998, reached the point where Turkey clearly felt its economic and political presence in the continent with the contribution of the public diplomacy tools it developed. Especially in the 1990s, with the end of the Cold War, the new international system and globalization conditions revealed the importance of regional policies in terms of world politics. Taking action in this direction, Turkish public diplomacy has broadened its fields of activity to the Sub-Saharan Africa region, adding depth to its soft power policy. Turkey, which does not have a colonial past, has succeeded in creating a relationship ground based on humanitarian diplomacy with the continent by using the remnant of its empire. Aiming at both economic and political cooperation with a series of African Summits it has held, the Republic of Turkey responds to many needs of the continent thanks to the public institutions that exist abroad. In addition to operating effectively in the fields of education and culture, it reveals the quality of Turkish public diplomacy with its development aids for many years. Gaining a significant momentum due to its increasing relations with the continent, Turkey continues its public diplomacy activities that will strengthen its claim to be a global power in line with this goal.