Mali Praises Türkiye's Combat Drones for Effective Land Control

During the fourth Türkiye-Mali Joint Economic Commission meeting in Ankara, Mali's Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop commended Türkiye's unmanned combat drones for assisting Mali in controlling its territory. Diop highlighted the strong defense cooperation between the two nations, noting that the use of Turkish combat drones has helped Mali achieve positive results in securing its lands.

The meeting focused on enhancing bilateral trade and investment ties between Türkiye and Mali. Türkiye's Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir stated that the two countries have agreed on legal frameworks to improve the investment environment and expand sectoral cooperation, particularly in the defense industry. The ministers emphasized the importance of mutual investments and infrastructure projects to ensure a continuous increase in trade volume.

Mali aims to leverage partnerships with reliable and strategic allies like Türkiye to develop various sectors of its economy. The country sees the defense cooperation with Türkiye as a key aspect of its efforts to maintain security and stability within its borders. The effective use of Turkish UCAVs has been a significant factor in Mali's ability to assert control over its territory.

Why this matters: The strong defense ties between Türkiye and Mali underscore the growing influence of Turkish military technology in Africa. The successful deployment of Turkish drones in Mali could lead to increased demand for these systems from other African nations facing security challenges.

Minister Diop expressed Mali's appreciation for Türkiye's support, stating, "The use of combat drones has assisted Mali in controlling our lands." The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation across various sectors, with a particular focus on defense industries, to promote mutual economic growth and security.

Key Takeaways

• Mali's FM praised Turkey's combat drones for helping control its territory.
• Turkey and Mali agreed on legal frameworks to improve investment and cooperation.
• Mali aims to leverage partnerships with Turkey to develop its economy.
• Turkey's drone technology is gaining influence in Africa amid security challenges.
• The two countries reaffirmed commitment to deepening cooperation, especially in defense.