The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) has commended its “ongoing and fruitful” partnership with Morocco, describing it as a cornerstone for strengthening regional security and counter-terrorism capacities across Africa.
In a statement issued Monday to mark the fifth anniversary of the inauguration of its Programme Office for Counter-Terrorism and Training in Africa—based in Rabat since October 6, 2020—the UN body said the commemoration “reflects the continued partnership between the UNOCT and the Kingdom of Morocco to bolster regional security and enhance counter-terrorism capabilities on the continent.”
According to the UNOCT, the Rabat-based office has achieved “significant milestones” in collaboration with Morocco, notably by delivering specialized counter-terrorism training to over 1,000 officials representing 34 African Member States over the past five years.
The statement highlighted that the office has contributed to building national capacities through the exchange of knowledge and expertise, the dissemination of best practices, and the facilitation of regional cooperation among African counter-terrorism agencies. These efforts have been notably reinforced through the organization of four editions of the High-Level Meeting of Heads of African Counter-Terrorism Agencies, also known as the Marrakesh Platform.
The UN office underlined that its partnership with Morocco has also enhanced coordination with UN entities and international partners to ensure effective and sustainable counter-terrorism outcomes across Africa.
The UNOCT Programme Office in Rabat, the first of its kind on the continent, was established through a host country agreement signed in 2020 between Morocco and the United Nations. It serves as a regional hub for designing and delivering specialized training courses for law enforcement and intelligence officers, while supporting the development of national counter-terrorism strategies in line with UN Security Council resolutions and Member States’ obligations under international law.
Through this partnership, the UNOCT reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and strengthening cooperation among African partners to confront evolving security threats.
