On the 103rd anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the country is advancing towards a stronger future through progress in defence and diplomacy.
The message
In a video message on Thursday, 29 October, Erdogan congratulated the Turkish nation, Turkish Cypriots and citizens abroad. He also greeted guests at Türkiye's diplomatic missions and people across its wider geographical and cultural sphere.
He called the republic the strongest testament to the nation's determination to live freely and independently and to decide its own future. He credited the national struggle led by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk with showing what a united nation can achieve in the hardest circumstances.
Stability amid regional crises
Erdogan said Türkiye was maintaining stability while taking responsibility for resolving disputes amid wars, conflicts and crises in its neighbourhood and beyond. He said the country remains committed to peace and justice under the motto "Peace at home, peace in the world".
Defence, energy, transport and diplomacy
He pointed to progress over the past 24 years in defence, energy, transport and diplomacy as milestones towards a more influential and prosperous Türkiye. He said the country is developing its own technology, expanding defence capabilities, strengthening energy supply security, modernizing transport infrastructure and increasing production capacity.
Looking ahead, he said the nation of 86 million would turn its "Türkiye Century" vision into reality. In his words, "Türkiye is, thank God, stronger today than it was yesterday," and he expects it to be more respected and influential tomorrow.
Why it matters for Africa
The emphasis on home-grown defence technology and diplomacy is the part most relevant for the continent. Türkiye has become one of the partners African governments turn to when they want options beyond the traditional Western and Chinese or Russian choices.
In the Sahel, for example, an EU policy brief notes that Türkiye has expanded its security footprint, including drone sales, while balancing economic investment with soft power.
This is the author's own assessment, but the lesson for African states is worth stating. Türkiye's pitch rests on building its own industrial and technological base.
Africa gains most from Turkish partnerships when they bring local production, training and technology transfer, and not only equipment sales. As with any partner, African governments should negotiate on those terms and keep sovereignty and accountability at the centre of every deal.
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Mustapha Bature Sallama
Medical/Science communicator, Private Investigator, Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Analysis,United States Institute of Peace (USIP), [email protected] +233555275880
Sources and References
TRT Afrika / Anadolu Agency (29 Oct 2026). "'Türkiye is stronger today than yesterday,' President Erdogan says on Republic Day." https://www.trtafrika.com/english/article/bcf6869f41d6
European Union Institute for Security Studies (Dec 2025). "The Multi-Aligned Sahel: Reframing the EU's role in a crowded region." https://www.iss.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2025-12/Brief_2025-28_Multialignment%20in%20the%20Sahel.pdf
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