Deepening Security Cooperation Between Morocco and the United States
Marrakech – In a significant reaffirmation of their commitment to counterterrorism, Morocco and the United States held a bilateral dialogue in Washington on July 8. This meeting, which underscores a partnership nearing its 250th anniversary, was co-chaired by Monica Jacobsen, the Acting Principal Deputy Coordinator for Counterterrorism in the United States, and Ismail Chekkori, the Director of Global Affairs Issues at Morocco's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During this dialogue, both delegations expressed their determination to build on existing initiatives aimed at defeating terrorist organizations such as AQIM, ISIS, and other entities designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations by both nations. This collaborative effort extends beyond regional borders as they seek to address global security challenges.
The discussions also encompassed vital topics such as the synchronization of terrorism designations, the fight against terrorism financing, and strategies to mitigate terrorist violence, particularly in the Sahel region. The US Embassy in Rabat emphasized that this meeting served to highlight the longstanding partnership that the United States and Morocco share in promoting regional stability and security. It was reiterated that both nations are resolutely committed to disrupting terrorist threats and safeguarding the interests of their citizens.
Establishment of the Africa Multidomain Training and Experimentation Center
Coinciding with the counterterrorism dialogue was a noteworthy development in defense cooperation. On July 13, the Royal Armed Forces of Morocco (FAR) and US Africa Command (AFRICOM) formalized a memorandum of understanding at AFRICOM headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. This agreement aims to establish the Africa Multidomain Training and Experimentation Center (AMTEC) in Tan-Tan, Morocco, with plans for completion by 2030. The Moroccan delegation was led by Inspector General Gen. Mohammed Berrid, acting on the directives of King Mohammed VI, while Gen. Dagvin Anderson, AFRICOM Commander, co-signed the agreement.
AMTEC is designed to encompass three key components: a Multidomain Training Area capable of functioning across the entire electromagnetic spectrum in contested environments, a Drone Academy dedicated to training operators and instructors from Morocco and partner nations in Africa, and an Innovation and Experimentation Center focused on developing low-cost, scalable solutions for counterterrorism and regional security. The Drone Academy will specifically enhance counter-terrorism capabilities against threats in West Africa, training students in the integration of small unmanned aerial systems into operations with an emphasis on airspace management, strike capabilities, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance synchronization.
Gen. Berrid has noted that Morocco’s existing facilities and skilled personnel are pivotal for achieving rapid advancements from concept to operational reality. This collaboration positions both countries as reliable partners in defense innovation and export opportunities. Gen. Anderson underscored AMTEC’s potential as a significant opportunity for both US and African defense industries and academic institutions to innovate and develop adaptable solutions across emerging technologies. Additionally, the upcoming African Lion 2027 exercise will serve as a proof of concept for the center.
Both the counterterrorism dialogue and the AMTEC agreement are integral to the 2026-2036 Defense Cooperation Roadmap, which was signed in Washington on April 15. This roadmap has gained legislative momentum through Section 1268 of S. 4784, the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, introduced by Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker on June 15. This provision mandates the Pentagon to devise a plan to enhance defense cooperation with Morocco within 180 days of its enactment.
The NDAA section encompasses cooperative security locations within Morocco, counterterrorism efforts, modernization of forces through the procurement of American defense articles, the establishment of an all-domain range complex, and the creation of a drone center of excellence. It also calls for expanding the scope of bilateral and multilateral exercises, specifically naming African Lion, to include various modern warfare technologies and strategies. Furthermore, it assesses the feasibility of cost-sharing arrangements for refurbishing strategic air command runways that were previously operated by the United States in Morocco. These objectives align closely with the outcomes of both the Washington dialogue and the Stuttgart agreement.
Morocco has maintained its status as a Major Non-NATO Ally since 2004, and the United States currently provides approximately 60% of Morocco's arms imports, reinforcing the strategic military cooperation between the two nations.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
