UPDATE - African leaders congratulate Turkish President Erdogan on reelection victory

UPDATES WITH MORE CONGRATULATIONS

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) - World leaders took to social media and public platforms to congratulate Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who won a historic reelection Sunday.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali congratulated the Turkish president on his reelection in Sunday’s presidential runoff, saying: “I look forward to further strengthening the relations between our two countries.”

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi also congratulated Erdogan on Twitter, saying they are both willing to cooperate for peace, security, and stability in the world.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari congratulated Erdogan for his victory, stressing that he is Nigeria's "true friend."

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa also congratulated his Turkish counterpart on his successful reelection.

"South Africa looks forward to working with Türkiye under President Erdogan to consolidate existing strong relations at the bilateral and multilateral levels," Ramaphosa’s office said in a statement.

The presidency noted that the formal relations between South Africa and Türkiye were established in 1991.

"South Africa and Türkiye share common platforms in multilateral forums such as the G20, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and are active participants in the various organs of the United Nations to which both countries belong," the statement added.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in a letter congratulated the Turkish president on his reelection "victory," while Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh said Erdogan's victory shows the renewal of people's confidence in his successful projects and policies.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi also congratulated Erdogan on his victory in Sunday’s runoff.

Erdogan was also congratulated by his Senegalese counterpart Macky Sall, who said in a tweet: “Warm congratulations to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his brilliant reelection as President of the Republic of Türkiye. I wish him every success in his new mandate.”

Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo expressed his "warm and sincere congratulations" to Erdogan, saying the bilateral relations will continue to be strengthened.

Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara also wished Erdogan all the best, saying the two countries will continue their excellent cooperation in the interest of their peoples.

Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema was among the first sub-Saharan African leaders to congratulate Erdogan on his reelection, tweeting: "We look forward to deepening our strategic partnership for greater peace, prosperity, and progress of both our countries."

Chad's transitional President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno said he was delighted with the reelection of Erdogan.

Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum expressed his joy via Twitter, saying that "keeping him (Erdogan) at the head of the state will contribute to strengthening the fruitful ties between our countries."

The leader of the transitional government in Burkina Faso, Capt. Ibrahim Traore and Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the leader of Sudan's ruling Sovereign Council, were also among the leaders who congratulated Erdogan.

Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe on Twitter hailed Erdogan for his reelection and emphasized further efforts to strengthen cooperation.

Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina also congratulated President Erdogan in a tweet, vowing to continue cooperation with Türkiye to strengthen friendship.

"Congratulations brotherly and friendly Türkiye," tweeted the office of Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. “I extend heartfelt congratulations to my brother, President @RTErdogan, on his successful re-election!” said Hamza Abdi Barre, the Somali prime minister. “This demonstrates the trust and support for your leadership. We look forward to seeing the bonds between our two brotherly nations grow and our nations prosper.”

According to unofficial results, the Turkish incumbent won the race with 52.16%, while opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu received 47.84% of the vote, with around 85% turnout.

More than 64.1 million Turkish citizens were registered to vote, including over 1.92 million who earlier cast their ballots at polling stations abroad.

On May 14, no candidate crossed the 50% threshold in the first round, triggering the presidential runoff, although Erdogan took the lead with 49.52%.​​​​​​ On the same day, Erdogan’s electoral alliance also won a majority of seats in parliament.