Relations between Morocco and the United States are strong from a military point of view, and this translates into many joint activities, such as the annual African Lion exercises, which are considered “the largest exercises of the American command in Africa, therefore, the exercises are considered “proof of the permanent security partnership between the two countries”.
Cooperation between Rabat and Washington could be further strengthened in light of the possibility of Morocco hosting “AFRICOM equipment”, indicating the possibility that the United States could transfer some of the weapons of the “AFRICOM” command to the Kingdom of Morocco, noting that the main headquarters of this administration is located in Stuttgart, Germany.
The “African Lion” Exercises
The closer cooperation comes in light of Morocco’s preparations to host the “African Lion” exercises in cooperation with the United States of America from May 20 to May 31, involving the armies of several countries. These exercises will be carried out, according to a statement by the Royal Armed Forces, in the regions of Agadir, Tan-Tan, Tata, Kenitra, Benguerir and Tifnit, with the aim of consolidating military cooperation between Morocco and the United States and enhancing exchange between the armed forces of the participating countries, with the aim of promoting peace, security and stability in the region.
Morocco is hosting these military exercises for the second year in a row, after news broke in the international press in 2022 about the possibility of transferring the “African Lion” exercises from Morocco to another country, based on a request made by a US senator known for his positions in favor of Algeria and the separatist movement of the Polisario Front.
However, developments in the sub-Saharan region confirmed the difficulty of finding an alternative to Morocco, as explained by the former commander of the US military command in Africa (AFRICOM), General Stephen Townsend. In particular, the American general emphasized that: “Morocco hosts 18 training sessions for the ‘African Lion’ and has a tremendous ability to do it is very high, and also has the infrastructure and the training series and everything that is required.” “We will continue to explore how to further differentiate the ‘African Lion,'” added the AFRICOM commander at the time, but stressed in this context that “it would be difficult to find any country in Africa, I think, that can possibly come close to this Morocco, which managed to do it for over 18 years.” “It is difficult, indeed, to find a country that can do this,” he said, stressing that AFRICOM is looking forward to working with Morocco in the upcoming exercises.
