AFRICOM Chief: Morocco, strategic partner & regional leader advancing security & economic development in Africa

Gen. Michael Langley, Chief of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has lauded Morocco’s regional leadership, describing the North African Kingdom as a regional leader exporting security and economic development throughout the continent.

In a statement made lately before the U.S. Senate Committee on armed services, the four-star General said Morocco provides training to more than 1200 African partners annually, often at zero cost to the trainees.

The training provided 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, added General Langley at the senate hearing.

Further, Moroccan trainers travel to neighbouring countries using U.S.-produced C-130 aircraft to transport and train partner personnel in a myriad of tasks and skills, said the AFRICOM Commander, 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 participate in UN peacekeeping missions in the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, said the U.S. General.

In September 2025, Morocco will inaugurate a state-of-the-art Peacekeeping Centre of Excellence which will train thousands of personnel in critical skills, announced Gen. Langley.

He also spoke about the 2024 edition of the African Lion exercise organized by Morocco and the United States with the participation of 8,100 soldiers from 27 nations, including NATO contingents. This annual exercise showcases realistic, dynamic, and collaborative readiness training in challenging environments.

General Langley told U.S. senators that African Lion not only strengthens multinational cooperation but also enhances readiness across all domains, highlighting USAFRICOM’s commitment to training African partners.