فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Bamako – November 12, 2025 – The first edition of the Bamako Expo (BAMEX 2025), Africa’s first international defense and security exhibition, kicked off in the Malian capital Bamako, amid widespread participation from leading Turkish defense companies, alongside delegations from 38 African and Asian countries, including significant Moroccan participation, and countries such as Russia and Belarus.
The exhibition continues until November 14 and aims to strengthen security and military cooperation in the Sahel region, with a focus on new partnership opportunities in the defense sector. Prominent Turkish companies such as Baykar, Aselsan, Roketsan, and Otokar are participating, showcasing advanced technologies such as drones and radar systems, reflecting Ankara’s expanding influence in Africa through defense agreements with Mali and other countries in the Sahel Alliance (AES).
Response to Siege Rumors: Bamako Defies Negative Narratives
The exhibition’s opening came as a direct response to circulating rumors about Bamako being besieged by terrorist groups such as Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), as observers confirmed that successfully organizing an international event of this magnitude debunks media narratives that promoted the capital’s collapse. Activists pointed out that Turkey refused pressure to sever its relations with Mali, based on a joint defense agreement between the two countries, and that the “Akıncı” drone that was shot down in recent operations was part of the exhibition itself.
Social media posts highlighted that the exhibition represents a “slap” to Algerian and French media, which aligned in their narratives about the “inevitable collapse” of Bamako, emphasizing that the continuation of activities confirms the capital’s stability and attractiveness for military investments.
Wide International Participation and Russian Support
The exhibition witnessed attendance from countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger, and Burkina Faso, in addition to Russia, which confirmed its support for Mali in combating terrorism through strengthening military cooperation. The events also highlighted Turkey’s role as a strategic partner, showcasing its products in the context of competition with Russia and China in the African arms market.
BAMEX 2025 is considered a unique platform for strengthening security sovereignty in Africa, with a focus on new partnerships that contribute to addressing regional challenges.
