Emine Erdoğan met with the wives of African heads of state
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's wife Emine Erdoğan came together with the wives of African heads of state who are in Istanbul for the 3rd Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit at Tophane-i Amire.
In her speech at the program, Emine Erdoğan reminded that after Turkey's opening to Africa in 2005, she frequently visited the continent and traveled in every direction of the compass from north to south, east to west, and accompanied President Erdoğan on many of his official visits.
Expressing her excitement when it comes to a visit to an African country, Emine Erdoğan talked about the feelings she experienced when she first visited Africa.
Stating that during these years-long journeys, she collected countless memories from each stop and wanted to turn them into a humble memoir, Emine Erdoğan said, "This book is the echoes in my soul of what you have offered me."
"WE TURNED OUR FRIENDSHIP ROOTED IN HISTORY INTO A VAST SEA OF LOYALTY"
Stating that she witnessed many things about the human condition in all her travels to Africa, Emine Erdoğan continued as follows: "As someone who spent her youth working intensively in NGOs, I met with NGOs as much as possible in every African country. In this way, I got first-hand information about the problems of vulnerable groups. In addition, I made sure to visit orphanages in every country. I especially saw international meetings and platforms as an opportunity to draw attention to Africa's problems. We have not only called for the empowerment of women and the easing of their conditions, but we have also developed projects. Every 25 May, we organize special programs for Africa Day. As you know, we opened the African Handicrafts and Culture House in Ankara. We wanted to create a fair market both as an example and as a support for African women. We currently procure products from 18 African countries and leave the income to the women as it is. It is with great happiness that I would like to express that all the proceeds of this book will be left to Africa House to transform the lives of African women."
Recalling that they opened the Turkish House in New York during the 76th General Assembly of the United Nations and launched the book there, Emine Erdoğan emphasized that all these efforts were a call to the international community on what needs to be done for Africa.
Reminding that the third International Somali Diaspora Conference was held in Istanbul in 2019, Emine Erdoğan said that in such organizations, she came together with second and third generation African youth who grew up in Western countries.
Emine Erdoğan said that she also had inspiring meetings with Somali youth and added, "We exchanged ideas on how we can build bridges for them to transfer the education they received from the Western world to Somalia. In short, I am trying to raise awareness in the international community."
Emine Erdoğan mentioned that they have also realized significant projects in the field of culture and said the following: "We published the books African Food Culture and African Proverbs. In both of these books, we worked with both academics and African ambassadors. African ambassadors personally selected the recipes of the cookbook and cooked them in the kitchen of the Presidential Complex. Our book of proverbs was also compiled by the ambassadors. Of course, it is not possible to fit the work we have been doing for Africa for years into a limited amount of time. However, I am happy to say that thanks to our mutual efforts, our ancient friendship with Africa is not just a bet on the pages of history. We have turned our friendship rooted in history into a vast sea of loyalty."
"I BELIEVE THAT THIS SOLIDARITY CHARACTERIZED BY MUTUAL GOODWILL WILL SET AN EXAMPLE FOR THE WHOLE WORLD"
Pointing out that the African Partnership Policy was launched in 2013 following the African opening, Emine Erdoğan said, "The African Partnership Policy aims to support peace and stability in the continent. It also places a strong emphasis on economic and social development. I sincerely believe that this solidarity characterized by mutual good intentions will set an example for the whole world."
At the opening of the program, African students studying in Turkey with scholarships from the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities presented a music concert.
The program was attended by Saynab Abdi Moallim, wife of President Mohamed Farmajo of Somalia, Fatima Maada Bio, wife of President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, Ambari Azali, wife of President Azali Assoumani of the Union of Comoros and Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, wife of President Adama Barrow of Gambia.
In addition to Hülya Çavuşoğlu, wife of Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, African ministers, female ambassadors of Turkey to African countries, spouses of African ambassadors, politicians, academics, NGO representatives and students also took part in the program.
"First ladies" showed interest in Emine Erdoğan's book "My Travels in Africa" during the program. The guests took a souvenir photo with Emine Erdoğan after having the book signed.
Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, wife of Gambian President Adama Barrow, who participated in the program, stated that she had visited Turkey 10 times so far and said, "I see Turkey as my home because of its culture."
Barrow said that Turkish TV series such as "Magnificent Century" have attracted great interest in Gambia and he believes that the relations between the two peoples will be carried further in the coming years.
"Relationships are something that is carried from generation to generation. The foundations have already been laid. This foundation has been laid by two great peoples. Now it will reach young people and they will make it grow."
Noting that the issue of climate change was discussed at the summit and that it affects not only Turkey or Africa but the whole world, Barrow emphasized the importance of Emine Erdoğan's efforts on this issue.
Barrow said, "Turkey and African First Ladies can cooperate on this issue. Turkish First Lady Emine Erdoğan is very experienced in this field. We can learn many things from her. We want to learn from her and apply it in our country. I am one of the pioneers of the initiative to ban the use of plastic in West Africa. I think I am in the right place here."
Fatima Maada Bio, wife of Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, expressed her satisfaction with the improvement of relations with Turkey.
"I think we spend most of our time building alliances with Western countries, improving our relations. Why not partner with Turkey? Africa is often told what to do. We are looking for a partner and we are looking for a partnership where we will be treated as equals."
Noting that he spends most of his time in activism and that climate change threatens the whole world, Bio said that the way to overcome such crises is "the right leadership".
Bio pointed out that the relations between Turkey and Africa are growing day by day and that Turkey is an example of a country that has overcome various difficulties and come to a good place.
19.12.2021
