Morocco and the United States reaffirmed their strong and enduring defense partnership on Monday as Lieutenant General Dagvin Anderson, Commander of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), began a working visit to the Kingdom aimed at strengthening military cooperation between the two countries.
Lieutenant General Anderson was received in Rabat by Abdellatif Loudiyi, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of the National Defense Administration, in accordance with the High Instructions of King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces.
According to a statement by the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), both sides expressed their satisfaction with the “excellent level” of bilateral military relations and reiterated their shared commitment to deepening strategic cooperation under the 2020–2030 Defense Cooperation Roadmap, signed in Rabat on October 2, 2020.
The discussions, the statement added, also explored new areas of collaboration — including developing a domestic defense industry in Morocco, a sector the Kingdom has increasingly prioritized as part of its drive toward industrial and strategic sovereignty.
On the same day, and in execution of the High Royal Instructions, Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces and Commander of the Southern Zone, Lieutenant General Mohammed Berrid, also received the AFRICOM Commander at the General Staff headquarters in Rabat.
The meeting provided an opportunity to review various aspects of bilateral military cooperation, particularly in modernizing capabilities, enhancing operational readiness, and expanding joint training programs — most notably the “African Lion” military exercise, which has become one of the largest and most sophisticated in Africa.
The two sides also exchanged views on the regional security environment and discussed avenues for strengthening peace and stability across Africa.
Lieutenant General Anderson commended the professionalism of the Royal Armed Forces and highlighted Morocco’s “key role in promoting African military cooperation and upholding peace and security principles across the continent.”
According to the statement, military collaboration between Morocco and the United States is deeply rooted in their historic alliance, reflecting a shared vision of regional stability and long-term partnership through joint exercises, defense industry development, and coordinated strategic planning.
