20th African Lion Exercise officially launched Monday

The official launch of the 20th edition of the African Lion exercise took place Monday at a ceremony held at the headquarters of the South Zone Headquarters in Agadir, in the presence of representatives of the participating countries.

In accordance with the high instructions of the King, Supreme Commander and Chief of General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), the FAR and the U.S. Armed Forces are co-hosting this multinational joint exercise that will end on May 31.

At the ceremony, co-chaired by Major General Mohammed Benlouali, Chief of Staff of the South Zone, and Major General Todd R. Wasmund, Commanding General of the U.S. Army-Africa Task Force South, the scenario for the 20th Command Post Simulation Exercise and related activities were presented.

Besides the FAR and the US Armed Forces, around 7,000 elements of armed forces from some 20 countries, plus the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), are taking part in these large-scale military maneuvers.

Speaking on the occasion, Major General Mohammed Benlouali stressed that the African Lion 2024 exercise marks twenty years of fruitful cooperation, distinguished partnership, and permanent commitment to the values of peace and security. He hailed in this respect the spirit of mutual trust and the shared desire of Morocco and the United States to diversify and develop these military maneuvers.

For his part, Major General Todd R. Wasmund stated that Morocco will always remain the home of the African Lion exercise, expressing his thanks to the FAR for their unwavering commitment to this 20-year-long partnership.

The African Lion 2024 exercise, taking place this year in Benguerir, Agadir, Tan-Tan, Akka, and Tifnit, comprises a number of activities, including combined day and night tactical, land, sea, and air exercises, a special forces exercise, airborne operations, and an operational planning exercise for Task Force staff.

This 20th edition also includes training in the fight against weapons of mass destruction and a range of medical, surgical and social services provided for the population of the Akka region by a military field hospital.

The African Lion 2024 exercise, the largest of its kind in Africa, contributes to the strengthening of operational, technical and procedural interoperability between the participating armies, and remains a key event for military leaders to exchange procedures and experiences, particularly in terms of combined joint training.

This twentieth edition bears witness to the enduring nature of the cooperation between the FAR and the U.S. Armed Forces, and reflects the strong historical ties that bind the two countries.