Deal Aims to Strengthen U.S.-Moroccan Military Cooperation

ADF STAFF

Morocco and the U.S. have signed a 10-year deal that will support the nations’ shared military goals.

The accord “serves as a road map for defense cooperation and aims to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries and support shared security goals,” a statement from the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces said.

The deal also aims to improve Morocco’s military readiness as the kingdom combats terrorism, manages a migration crisis, and promotes stability in the Sahel and Mediterranean regions, according to Agence Marocaine de Presse (MAP), Morocco’s state news agency.

The two countries reached the agreement in early October when U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper toured the North African kingdom. He met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita, Deputy Minister for National Defense Abdeltif Loudiyi, and Gen. Abdelfettah Louarak, inspector general of the Mounted Royal Armed Forces.

“Our two nations are working, more closely than ever, to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex security environment: from the fight against terrorism to other transnational threats, regional security and other global strategic challenges,” Esper said.

Esper added that the U.S. strives to “continuously consolidate its strong and long-standing commitment to Africa and especially to Morocco, a strategic ally of the United States outside NATO and a gateway to the African continent.”

The agreement also underlined the importance of African Lion, a joint annual military exercise that draws participants from around Africa.

“It [has been] a key training and exercise event for many, many years,” Esper said.

The two countries forged the agreement a couple of months after Morocco’s King Mohammed VI approved military development bills.

One bill regards a cyber security project that will safeguard Morocco’s technological infrastructure, including security of information systems related to the country’s administrations, territorial authorities, public institutions, companies and telecommunications operators, according to MAP. Another bill will regulate the manufacture, trade, import, export, transport and transit of security materials and equipment, weapons, and ammunition materials.

Morocco also increased its defense budget by 29% in 2020.

“The Royal Armed Forces will focus on scientific, technical and engineering research programs, and work to strengthen and develop them in all military and security fields, at the African and international levels, in order to exchange experiences and keep up with the rapid development in the fields of security and defense,” King Mohammed said in a 2019 national address.

The U.S. is Morocco’s largest defense sector trading partner. Morocco’s deal with the U.S. in 2019 involved the sale of 25 F-16 aircraft and related equipment worth $3.8 billion, and upgrading Morocco’s existing fleet of F-16 fighter jets at a cost of $985 million, Morocco World News reported.

Morocco has emerged as a significant partner in regional stabilization efforts. The United Nations in September thanked Morocco for brokering dialogue toward a cease-fire in Libya, according to Morocco World News. Officials from the U.S., Spain and Poland also have recognized Morocco’s peace-seeking efforts in Libya.

Morocco and the U.S. have been allies for more than 240 years. Morocco has welcomed American ships to its ports since 1777, and Morocco officially recognized the U.S. by signing a peace treaty in 1786, a document that is the longest unbroken relationship in U.S. history.

“In many respects [Morocco] is the first friendly country of the United States,” Esper said.