AFRICOM Chief: Morocco, regional leader exporting security & economic development in Africa

General Michael Langley,AFRICOM commander,has described Morocco as a regional leader exporting security and economic development throughout the African continent.

In his latest statement during a Senate hearing,the four-star General said the North African Kingdom provides training to more than 1200 African partners annually. The training includes every level of military education from basic training to War College,spans all services,and includes professional medical,intelligence,airborne,and special operations training.

Further,Moroccan trainers travel to neighboring countries to train partner personnel in a myriad of tasks and skills,he added,noting that this strong security exporter role is rooted in Morocco’s position as a significant contributor to United Nations peacekeeping operations.

Over 1700 Moroccan troops per year participate in UN peacekeeping missions in the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

September 2025 will witness the inauguration of a state-of-the-art Peacekeeping Center of Excellence in Morocco,with the capacity to train thousands of personnel in critical skills,while also having the ability to host strategic-level defense engagements,diplomatic summits,and senior leader peacekeeping training and discussions. This center is co- funded by the U.S. and will train thousands of Moroccan and other African partners.

General Langley also stressed the importance of the US-led African Lion exercise hosted annually by Morocco with the participation of several African & European countries and NATO. This military exercise,the largest in Africa,not only strengthens multinational cooperation but also enhances readiness across all domains.

“The African continent is a wide and vast space that presents the United States – and our competitors – with challenges and opportunities,” he said,reiterating his country’s commitment to matching military capabilities to threats and supporting solutions conducive to lasting security,stability,and prosperity in Africa.