World leaders have varying interests in Africa

By Dilara Hamit

ANKARA (AA) - Over the years, world leaders have had a varying interest in Africa mostly for its resources and investment opportunities, while issues of irregular migration and terrorism have also come to the forefront during the visits.

The leaders of Germany, France, Spain, and Italy have paid the most visits from Europe to Africa over the past decade.

Former US President Barack Obama was the only president of his country to visit the continent during this period.

Donald Trump, who took office in 2017, never went to the continent while he was the president.

President Joe Biden has not yet visited Africa since he took the presidential seat in the US this year.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is second to none when it comes to visiting Africa as he has been to 30 African countries, some of which he visited multiple times, during his premiership and presidency.

- European leaders' visits to Africa

German Chancellor Angela Merkel had made 13 official visits to the continent. While economic relations were discussed during her visits to Egypt and South Africa, the issue of controlling migration from Africa to Europe was the focus of her recent visits.

Due to its colonial background, regular visits are made to Africa by France. French President Emmanuel Macron, who took office in May 2017, has made 11 official visits to the continent.

Pedro Sanchez, who became the prime minister in Spain in June 2018, made his first visit to Africa's Morocco in November 2018. Sanchez has held seven visits to Africa so far.

After taking office, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi made his first foreign trip to Libya in April this year, making a symbolically meaningful visit.

Before taking the office as the prime minister in the UK, Boris Johnson had visited three African states, but he has not visited the continent yet as the premier.