Turkish President Erdoğan in South Africa
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday warned South Africa against the threat posed by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ).
“We must be vigilant against this organization whose main goal is to pit a brother against brother,” Erdoğan said, addressing Muslim community leaders during a visit to Johannesburg where he is attending the BRICS Summit.
Erdoğan called terrorist organizations present in Turkey such as FETÖ and PKK “nests of evil” that slaughter their brothers.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the opening ceremony of the new building of Turkey’s embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, on Thursday.“Turkey has been working to strengthen its international diplomacy recently. Especially in Africa, we would like to increase the number of embassies. Turkish embassies in the African continent have increased from 12 to 41 during the Justice and Development (AK) Party’s rule. Turkey’s biggest diplomatic mission is in Somalia,” Erdoğan said.“The efforts of businessmen and nongovernmental organizations to bolster Turkey’s ties with South Africa is indisputable. This ensured both countries to get better acquainted with one another and bolster our cooperation,” he added.Erdoğan, Putin to meet on BRICS summit sidelinesErdoğan on Wednesday arrived in Johannesburg to attend the BRICS summit. Erdoğan will meet the Turkish community in South Africa, as well as prominent businesspeople and opinion leaders of the Muslim community.“Turkey ranks first in the world in helping the least developed countries with $8.2 billion. It is not enough for Turkey to be ranked as the world’s fifth in terms of diplomacy. As politicians, we will lead the way, however all our businessmen and diplomats must work together to actualize tenders and negotiations,” Erdoğan said.“Daesh, FETÖ, PKK, Boko Haram and al-Shabaab terrorist organizations are all common enemies of humanity. FETÖ is the same as Daesh. We will discuss these matters with South African President Ramaphosa. Unfortunately, South Africa is one of the countries in which FETÖ is most active. Turkey won't allow the Fetullah Terrorist Organization to turn South Africa into a base,” he added.Erdoğan arrives in Johannesburg to attend BRICS summitFETÖ and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gülen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.FETÖ is also behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.Video: Erdoğan arrives in Johannesburg to attend BRICS summit
Erdoğan: FETÖ is the same as Daesh
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday arrived in Johannesburg to attend the BRICS summit.Erdoğan, who arrived at 9.55 p.m. local time (1955 GMT), was welcomed by South African Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies and Turkey's Ambassador to South Africa Elif Comoglu Ulgen at the OR Tambo International Airport.The BRICS regional bloc is made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, countries that share over 20 percent of the global economy and contribute around 17 percent to international trade.Turkish president to visit Zambia on July 28The Turkish president is accompanied by his wife Emine Erdoğan, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Treasury anf Finance Minister Berat Albayrak, National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan, and two lawmakers from Justice and Development (AK) Party and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).The 10th summit started on Wednesday and will end on Friday.Erdoğan’s attendance at the summit will serve as the first high-level contact between Turkey and the BRICS bloc.Turkish envoy hails strong relations with South AfricaOn the sidelines of the summit, Erdoğan will also hold bilateral talks with the leaders of all BRICS member states and other invited leaders.He will also meet Turkish community in South Africa, as well as prominent businesspeople and opinion leaders of Muslim community.Turkish president will also open the new building of Turkish Embassy.
Erdoğan arrives in Johannesburg to attend BRICS summit
He also said that South Africa is only second to the U.S. among countries where FETÖ is most active.
“We are aware that FETÖ is trying to attract Muslims in South Africa, especially through educational institutions....The enemies of Islam controlled FETÖ that used incentives such as education, charity, dialogue to infiltrate for 40 years” Erdoğan added.
FETÖ and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.
FETÖ is reportedly present in more than 150 countries around the world, through schools, NGOs, lobbyists, media outlets, and other companies.
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children.