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President Recep Tayyip Erdoan of Turkey arrived in Banjul on Monday, as part of a three-nation tour that follows a stop in Algeria and will continue in Senegal.

This is Erdoans first official visit to the West African nation, which comes amid The Gambias recent struggle over President Adama Barrows tenure. Advocates for a three-year term, which would have recently expired, say hes violating his own promises but Barrow says the consitution requires a five-year term. Those tensions spilled into the street at the weekend, with dozens of arrests reported.

The Gambia also struggles with the economic fallout following the 22-year rule of exiled leader Yahya Jammeh, whose supporters have pressured Barrow to allow to return, as well as a lengthy national reconciliation process.

For his part, Erdoan has worked to raise Ankaras profile on the African continent in recent years, but that too has become controversial as Turkeys presence in Libya, in support of the Tripoli-based government, and its investments in Sudan have drawn international scrutiny.

Both nations say they plan to build on existing bilateral agreements on security, trade, health care and other sectors. The Gambian government says more than 100 students currently study in Turkey, most of them on scholarships, as education remains a focal point of the relationship.

The two leaders also plan to discuss regional and international security concerns, while business forums were planned for both Algeria and Senegal.

African leaders have been quick to extend condolences to Erdoan following last weeks earthquake in Elaz province, in the eastern part of Turkey where at least 41 people died.

Image: Gambian presidency

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Erdogan arrives for visit in troubled The Gambia - Africa Times