U.S. General Michael Langley Praises Morocco’s Strategic Role in African Security
Morocco continues to assert its leading position in African security. On June 10, 2025, before the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, General Michael E. Langley, Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), highlighted the Kingdom’s major contribution to the continent’s stability—while ruling out any plans to relocate AFRICOM headquarters to North Africa.
In remarks underscoring the strength of U.S.-Morocco relations, General Langley described Morocco as one of the United States’ most solid and active allies in the region. He emphasized the Kingdom’s leadership in supporting regional security efforts by training over 1,200 African military personnel annually in diverse fields such as special operations, intelligence, military medicine, and war colleges. These often free training programs are held both in Morocco and across various African countries, with U.S.-provided C-130 aircraft facilitating transportation.
Langley also commended Morocco’s ongoing participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions, with the Kingdom deploying more than 1,700 soldiers yearly, notably in the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In this context, he announced the upcoming opening of a Peace Operations Center of Excellence in Rabat, co-funded by the U.S. This center will train thousands of African military personnel and host high-level forums on peace and security issues.
Furthermore, Morocco remains a key partner in African Lion, AFRICOM’s largest joint military exercise on the continent. The 2025 edition, held between April and May, brought together over 8,100 participants from 27 countries across several sites, including Morocco. According to General Langley, this exercise reflects both the depth of U.S.-Morocco military cooperation and the high level of readiness of the forces involved.
When questioned about the possibility of relocating AFRICOM’s headquarters—currently based in Stuttgart, Germany—to an African country like Morocco, General Langley was unequivocal: while the idea has been floated in some circles, it does not offer sufficient operational advantages to justify the significant financial investment required. He reaffirmed that the current location ensures optimal coordination, and that the strong strategic partnership with Morocco functions effectively without requiring a physical relocation.
In conclusion, while Morocco may not host AFRICOM’s headquarters, it remains a central player in the U.S. security architecture in Africa. Through its training capabilities, peacekeeping contributions, and participation in joint exercises, Morocco stands as a trusted partner and model of cooperation in a region facing ongoing and complex challenges.
Editorial team/le7tv
