Policy

Morocco and Mauritania Explore New Avenues for Military Cooperation


The Inspector General of the Moroccan Armed Forces and the Mauritanian Minister of Defense reaffirmed their mutual commitment to strengthening military cooperation relations and elevating them to the level of the aspirations of both countries.

On Friday, Inspector General of the Moroccan Armed Forces Mohamed Brih met with Mauritanian Minister of Defense Hinna Ould Sidi to discuss ways to enhance military cooperation between the two countries. This meeting took place in Marrakech, in northern Morocco, during the International Aerospace and Aviation Exhibition “Marrakech Air Show 2024,” which is being held from October 30 to November 2, 2024, according to a statement from the General Staff of the Moroccan Army.

This meeting reinforces Moroccan-Mauritanian military cooperation relations across various military and security fields, aimed at promoting security and peace in the region, as well as the future development and evolution of this cooperation.

The statement indicated that “at the behest of the Moroccan King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of Staff of the Royal Armed Forces, and on the sidelines of the International Aerospace and Aviation Exhibition, Brih held a meeting with the Mauritanian Minister of Defense.”

It clarified that both sides discussed “ways to enhance military cooperation between the two countries while exploring new avenues for collaboration in the defense sector.”

The officials also affirmed “their shared commitment to strengthening military cooperation relations and elevating them to meet the aspirations of both countries,” according to the same source.

The memorandum of understanding signed in Rabat on July 21, 2006, has bolstered Moroccan-Mauritanian military cooperation.

The two countries held the first meeting of the joint military committee in Rabat in 2019, focusing on the outcomes of bilateral cooperation activities and prospects for strengthening it.

This meeting comes at a time when Moroccan-Mauritanian relations are experiencing a degree of stability, as evidenced by a series of reciprocal visits between members of both governments and a series of high-level meetings addressing military, security, political, economic, cultural, and sports issues.

It also coincides with several developments in the Sahel and Sahara region, along with regional developments.

Nouakchott has repeatedly expressed its desire to strengthen relations with Morocco and to develop cooperation between the two countries in service of the mutual interests of the Moroccan and Mauritanian peoples. Morocco is viewed as a strong and strategic partner in regional and international efforts aimed at bolstering security and addressing security challenges and combating terrorist threats.

The Mauritanian delegation at the exhibition includes, in addition to the minister, the minister’s advisor, Colonel Bashir Mohammed Mokhtar, the chief of staff of the Air Force, General Hamada Ould Beidha, and the Mauritanian military attaché in Rabat, Colonel Othmane Ben Yoro Ba.

The activities of the International Aerospace and Aviation Exhibition “Marrakech Air Show 2024” are ongoing in Marrakech, northern Morocco, with the participation of several countries.

The exhibition is organized by the Moroccan Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of National Defense, and the private company MedZid, with the presence of the United Arab Emirates as the guest of honor, according to a statement from the organizers.

The statement noted that the exhibition, ongoing from October 30 to November 2, 2024, “highlights the aviation industry in the country and includes discussions between Moroccan and foreign professionals on related topics.”

The “Marrakech Air Show 2024” features 200 exhibitors and more than 75 official delegations, along with aerial displays and conferences that include significant discussions regarding the aviation sector.

According to official statistics, there are more than 147 companies operating in the aviation sector in Morocco, providing over 20,000 job opportunities.

Morocco aspires to produce a complete aircraft that will take off from the kingdom for the first time, according to Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour, especially as the country is among the list of the 20 nations globally that manufacture aircraft parts.

In April, the Moroccan government also approved a draft decree concerning the design and production of aircraft, which will establish the design, production, and maintenance standards for aircraft.

The government aims to increase the pace of investment in the sector, particularly with media reports discussing the imminent opening of the first drone factory in the kingdom.

 

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