Ambassador Mohamed Arrouchi: A key actor for peace and security in Africa, Morocco stands ready to share its expertise with countries across the continent

Guided by the enlightened vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), which has made the Kingdom a central actor for peace and security in the continent, the FAR remain firmly committed to supporting African partners in strengthening their capacities in Peace Support Operations, stressed the diplomat, who headed the Moroccan delegation at the ministerial meeting of the 17th ordinary session of the AU Specialised Technical Committee on Defence, Safety and Security.

He noted that the contribution of the FAR falls within an integrated approach aimed at consolidating collective skills through targeted training programmes, exchanges of operational experience and the development of essential expertise such as operational planning, crisis management and logistical support in all its components.

Through its bilateral efforts, covered by military and technical cooperation agreements established or being developed with nearly 30 African countries, the Kingdom plays an important role in strengthening the capacity of these countries to contribute more effectively to the collective effort needed to address shared security challenges, he continued.

He cited, as an example, the annual admission by the FAR of more than 2,000 trainees from African countries into the military schools of the Royal Army, the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy and the Royal Gendarmerie for training in various specialisations.

In the same vein, numerous specialised trainings in Peace Operations were delivered in 2025, covering essential areas such as the prevention of gender-based violence, medical assistance in the field, operational management and the use of heavy equipment, added Arrouchi.

He noted that these initiatives contribute to the harmonisation of expertise, strengthen the interoperability of African forces and consolidate their strategic autonomy, thereby improving their collective ability to prevent and manage crises.

In this perspective, the Centre of Excellence for Peacekeeping Operations aims to become a continental reference platform for training aligned with AU norms and standards, in order to sustainably support these capacity-building dynamics, he added.

He underlined that the FAR organise annual multinational military exercises with the participation of several African countries, such as the “African Lion” and “Maroc Mantlet” drills, which aim to strengthen interoperability and the sharing of experience and best practices in operational and crisis management fields.

Regarding the fight against hybrid threats, particularly those emerging in cyberspace, Morocco is working to strengthen the cyber capacities of its partners in order to consolidate their digital sovereignty and resilience to emerging security challenges, said the diplomat.

In this regard, the Kingdom has so far hosted five annual meetings of the African National Cybersecurity Association (ANCA) out of the six gatherings held since the establishment of this body, recalled Arrouchi, noting that these meetings have helped consolidate cooperation priorities and formulate common action frameworks to enhance Africa’s digital resilience.

Furthermore, Morocco played a decisive role in February 2025 in the establishment on its territory of the African National Cybersecurity Authority – Computer Emergency Response Team (ANCA-CERT), he added, stressing that as a true continental centre for coordination, prevention and management of cyber incidents, this structure marks a major step forward in building an integrated African cybersecurity system.

By hosting this strategic platform, the Kingdom places its expertise and infrastructure at the service of deepened regional cooperation, fostering the sharing of critical information and strengthening collective resilience, explained the ambassador.

He also recalled that Morocco has been hosting GITEX Africa for the past three years, a continental and international event bringing together key actors in cybersecurity and digital innovation. He noted that this event contributes to showcasing African know-how, to elevating the continent on the technological scene and to generating new partnership dynamics.

On the sidelines of this event, the Kingdom organises a major regional exercise known as “Drill” which, combining in-person and online sessions, mobilises more than 400 participants from public administrations, critical infrastructure operators and the private sector, Arrouchi continued. He stressed that this exercise aims to test team responsiveness to simulated cyber incidents, improve interinstitutional coordination and promote a continental culture of cyber resilience.

It also provides a privileged space for developing the skills of young African talents who face scenarios close to operational realities, he added.

In the same spirit of cooperation and shared experience, Morocco organises the annual African Cybersecurity Forum, which has become a strategic platform for dialogue and exchange, he continued.

He noted that this meeting brings together public decision-makers, technical experts, managers of critical infrastructures and private-sector representatives to address major topics such as digital resilience, data protection, the securing of critical infrastructures and the integration of artificial intelligence in security systems.

He concluded by affirming that the Kingdom remains ready to contribute to various Peace Support Operations and to the construction of a sovereign and resilient African ecosystem based on digital trust, while reiterating its full solidarity with the countries of the continent with which it shares the same values and universal principles of peace and security grounded in international law and legitimacy.

The Moroccan delegation also includes the Director of the African Union and African regional organisations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad, Hassan Boukili.

Editorial team/le7tv