In Mozambique, Erdogan asks for action against Gulen

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday called on Mozambican leader Filipe Nyusi to take action against the exiled cleric he blames for last year's failed coup. Erdogan was echoing the call to arms that he made during a stop in the Tanzanian capital Dar es Salaam on Monday as part of his tour of three African countries. He told a reception in Maputo that "we are aware that Fethullahists have a presence here in Mozambique", referring to Fethullah Gulen's Hizmet movement which is linked to a network of schools across the world, including in Africa. "They have a vast sector of schools and associations all around the world, and they have a wide network here in Mozambique as well," Erdogan said. Turkish officials accuse Gulen of using his private education network to build influence and of running a "parallel state" inside Turkey. "What they've tried to achieve in Turkey, they will try to achieve in Mozambique sooner or later," said Erdogan. "This is something that we request from you... A friend in need is a friend indeed." Since a failed coup on July 15 which tried to overthrow Erdogan, the government has launched wide-scale purges, detaining, sacking or suspending thousands of people in the public sector. Erdogan's five-day tour of Africa will also see him visit Madagascar before he returns home. Another key priority of the trip has been to promote Turkish influence on the continent and to stimulate trade between Africa and Turkey. The Turkish strongman brought around 100 Turkish business leaders with him for the official tour.