Morocco’s counterterrorism experience under spotlights at African high-level meeting

Morocco’s efforts in combating terrorism were under the spotlights during the High-Level African Counter-Terrorism Meeting held in Abuja this April 22 – 23, under the theme “Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Institutions to Address the Evolving Terrorist Threat in Africa.”

Ismaël Chekkori, Director of Global Issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made a presentation on the key lessons learned from Morocco’s fight against terrorism and the best practices the country has developed and shared over the years.

“It is vital to anticipate the rapid evolution of the threat, using tools such as accurate assessment, particularly of cross-border movements, detecting the first signals of radicalization, the dynamics of local terrorism, and its links with international terrorist groups, and anticipating new trends in terrorism,” explained Chekkori.

Morocco has implemented a comprehensive and multidimensional response to the terrorist threat. This response embodies an approach involving both the government and society at large.

“This approach aims to strengthen institutional resilience in the security, socio-economic, and religious spheres,” Morocco’s representative at the meeting said.

He also highlighted the Moussalaha program as a pivotal component of Morocco’s comprehensive strategy in combating terrorism. He described it as “an initiative specifically designed to rehabilitate and reintegrate former terrorist detainees into society.”

“The success of the Moussalaha program underscores the importance of addressing the roots of extremism and dealing with its consequences through compassion and sustained community support,” he argued. In this context, “our call for revitalized regional cooperation, grounded in a solid institutional framework, becomes not only relevant but imperative.”

From this perspective, “promoting closer institutional cooperation would effectively contribute to inclusive and collaborative responses tailored to the specific needs of African countries, in line with the principle of ownership,” he elaborated.

Chekkori noted that “Morocco has always been committed to strengthening regional institutional cooperation against terrorism, drawing on the lessons and successes of its national strategy” in this domain.

He underscored Morocco’s dedication in this area, highlighting that “Moroccan security services have shared crucial information, enabling their counterparts in other countries to thwart deadly terrorist attacks and plots.”

On a regional level, Chekkori mentioned that Morocco launched the “Marrakech Platform for Heads of African Security and Counter-Terrorism Agencies” in 2022, in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Combating Terrorism (UNOCT).