In a significant development, Morocco and the United States convened for the 14th meeting of the Defense Advisory Committee in Washington, D.C. This meeting took place during an official visit from April 14 to April 16, led by Morocco's Minister Delegate in Charge of National Defense Administration, along with the General Corps Commander and Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), accompanied by a substantial delegation. According to a statement from the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces, this gathering is part of a sustained strategic cooperation dynamic between the two nations.
During the visit, the Moroccan delegation was welcomed by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, alongside the Moroccan Ambassador to Washington, Youssef Amrani, and the U.S. Ambassador to Rabat, Duke Buchan III. The discussions primarily focused on enhancing cooperation in critical areas such as defense, military industry, and cybersecurity, particularly in light of the increasingly complex security challenges facing both countries.
In a post on the social media platform X, Elbridge Colby, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense, emphasized that the established roadmap would guide the historic defense relationship for the next decade. He reminded participants that Morocco was the first country to recognize the United States over 250 years ago. The U.S. side reiterated its support for Morocco's autonomy plan for the Sahara, while Rabat highlighted its commitment to regional stability. Additionally, initiatives spearheaded by King Mohammed VI were discussed, including the Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline and the African Atlantic façade, as well as Morocco's participation in peacekeeping operations and humanitarian efforts.
The discussions also provided an opportunity to assess the positive outcomes of military cooperation, particularly in areas such as training, experience exchange, and joint exercises, including the “African Lion” operation. A key outcome of this meeting was the signing of a roadmap for the period from 2026 to 2036, which aims to structure and expand defense cooperation in response to new strategic challenges.
As reported by marruecom.com.
