Assessing Turkish foreign policy towards sub-saharan Africa: Somalia as a case study

Official URL: https://risc01.sabanciuniv.edu/record=b2578828 _(Table of contents)

As a country in pursuit of a role as a global power, Turkey has advanced its relations with Somalia, which serves as an arena for Turkey to project its influence. Turkey has recently geared its foreign policy towards advancing relations with Africa and the global south in general. This thesis as a single case study looks at what foreign policy tools Ankara employs to advance itself as an actor in Somalia. It investigates the dynamics that drive and shape TFP towards Somalia. The study builds on three theoretical perspectives–realism, liberal theory of international politics, and social constructivism. Taken together, the theories provide an eclectic analytical approach to Turkish foreign policy, rather than a competitive one. The realist perspective provides insights on Turkey’s need to maintain security in the horn of Africa and south of the gulf region. It also explains how Somalia provides Turkey the opportunity to project power. Building on the liberal theory of international politics, the thesis tests the hypothesis that Turkey’s interests is shaped by interests of powerful domestic actors and businessmen. Findings from this thesis corroborates this hypothesis. Finally, social constructivism explains Turkish foreign policy from the perspective of religious and cultural affinity. Findings from the study suggests that Turkey’s interests in Somalia is driven by its cultural and religious affinity. Additionally, analysis of Turkey-Somalia bilateral reports indicate that Turkey has successfully emerged an important global actor by strategically devising foreign policy tools, such as health and humanitarian aid, that meet the needs and demands of Somalia