AFRICOM Commander Highlights Morocco’s Key Role in Ensuring Security in Africa

6th April 2025

2 minutes read

AFRICOM Commander Highlights Morocco’s Key Role in Ensuring Security in Africa

General Michael Langley affirms that Morocco is the cornerstone of stability in Africa, highlighting its regional leadership in peacekeeping efforts.

General Michael Langley, Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), stated that Morocco plays a vital role in maintaining stability and advancing development on the continent. He emphasized that Washington views the country as a strategic partner in securing a troubled region.

Speaking before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, Langley declared that “Morocco is a regional leader thanks to its active contribution to training over 1,200 African soldiers annually, often at no cost to the recipient countries,” according to the Moroccan website Telquelpress.

Morocco leads regional countries in deploying troops for United Nations peacekeeping missions across multiple conflict zones. It has also played a key role in resolving several disputes through a strong diplomacy championed by King Mohammed VI.

The AFRICOM commander noted that Morocco has trained thousands of soldiers in areas such as basic military education, intelligence, medicine, parachuting, and special operations, as part of its commitment to enhancing African defense capabilities.

He highlighted Morocco’s support for peacekeeping missions, noting that the Kingdom deploys around 1,700 soldiers annually in the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Langley also mentioned that Morocco is one of the United States’ top non-NATO allies in North Africa, reflecting the strength of bilateral ties and the growing cooperation and coordination on various issues.

In the past two years, Rabat and Washington have signed several arms deals that have equipped the Royal Armed Forces with the latest military hardware—clear evidence of the high level of trust Morocco enjoys for its efforts in securing the region.

Defense cooperation between the two nations has significantly expanded since the 2020 signing of a 10-year agreement, and relations are expected to gain further momentum, especially considering Morocco’s strong ties with former President Donald Trump, whose recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara marked a historic diplomatic victory for the Kingdom.

The United States relies on Morocco’s expertise in counterterrorism and combating transnational crime and places high importance on this partnership, viewing Morocco as an emerging military power, particularly in the face of the growing jihadist threat in the Sahel and the increasing influence of Russia through Wagner Group mercenaries.

Last year, Morocco hosted African Lion 2024, the largest military exercise in Africa, involving forces from over 10 countries. This is not the first time the Kingdom has hosted the training, which has strengthened military cooperation between Morocco and the United States.

General Langley concluded by stressing “the strategic importance of Africa for the United States,” noting that “Morocco is the cornerstone of efforts to stabilize the region” and that “cooperation with allied African nations such as Morocco is a key element in building a safe and prosperous future for the continent.”