The commander of U.S. Africa Command “USAFRICOM”, General Dagvin Anderson, highlighted on Tuesday the excellent level of cooperation with the Kingdom Morocco, which hosts each year the “African Lion,” the largest joint military exercise with the United States on the continent.
Speaking at a digital press briefing organized by the U.S. Department of State’s Africa Media Hub, on AFRICOM priorities on the African continent, Mr. Anderson noted that the 2026 edition of the African Lion military exercise takes on special significance as the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence this year.
As the first country to have recognized the independence of the United States of America, “Morocco has been with us every step of the way (…) And so to be able to have this exercise here, I think, is important,” said the Commander of US AFRICOM.
“It’s also important to bring innovation as well. And so African Lion brings 19 African countries together with six European and then some from South America and the Middle East as well,” which, according to the senior US military official, illustrates the extent of multilateral cooperation on security at the continental level.
In this regard, General Anderson said that Morocco is an “excellent partner” for the United States, but also for other African partners, highlighting the Kingdom’s efforts in the fight against terrorism and other threats at the regional and international levels, and its willingness to further enhance its capabilities in order to address these threats in a concerted manner.
