Unlike some Western countries, Turkey never approached Africa with colonialist intentions, said a former Turkish diplomat on Friday.
Colonialism caused the death of millions of people in countries like Libya, Rwanda, and Algeria, Ahmet Kavas, who served as ambassador to Chad from 2012 to 2015, told a panel discussion in Turkey’s capital Ankara on "Turkey's Status in Africa's Foreign Policy."
Speaking to African students and NGO representatives at the event, Kavas said despite four centuries of Ottoman Empire rule in North African countries such as Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia, “Only four wars happened during that time.”
Kavas underlined that the West used African people as fodder for war, mentioning the example of the Battle of Canakkale and World War I.
"The Ottoman state became like family to the people there. The French, Italians, and Chinese didn’t. The Ottoman Empire never colonized Africa. That’s why Africa is home for the Ottoman Empire too," he added.
Kavas added that the West is looking to continue colonialism in Africa. "The injustices of the past should be remembered, but seeking revenge would be a mistake," he said.
