Turkish president welcomed with official ceremony in DRC

KINSHASA, DR Congo

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday was welcomed with an official ceremony in the Congolese capital Kinshasa, where he arrived as the first stop of his four-day Africa tour.

Erdogan was initially welcomed in the Kinshasa International Airport in the capital by senior Congolese officials, including Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula Apala Pen'Apala and Turkiye’s Ambassador in Kinshasa Murat Ulku.

After departing from the airport, Erdogan was welcomed with an official ceremony by his Congolese counterpart Felix Tshisekedi at the presidential palace.

Erdogan is accompanied by senior Turkish officials, including the Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin, and head of Defense Industries Presidency Ismail Demir.

After the Democratic Republic of Congo​​​​​​​, Erdogan is scheduled to visit the West African countries of Senegal and Guinea-Bissau.

The four-day Africa tour is expected to focus on all aspects of bilateral relations and opportunities for improving cooperation between Turkiye and these countries in all fields.

During his visit to the Senegalese capital Dakar, Erdogan will attend the opening ceremony of the Dakar Olympic Stadium built by a Turkish company. He will also inaugurate Turkiye's new embassy building.

Erdogan's visit to Guinea-Bissau will mark the first presidential visit from Turkiye to the West African country.

* Writing by Ahmet Gencturk