HIBAPRESS
The Ambassador of the Kingdom to the African Union and the Economic Commission for Africa, Mohamed Arouch, affirmed that Morocco, as a major player in the field of peace and security in Africa, is ready to share its expertise with the countries of the continent in facing traditional and emerging threats.
Arouch, who chaired the Moroccan delegation participating in the ministerial meeting of the 17th ordinary session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Defense, Safety and Security of the African Union, explained that the Royal Armed Forces, guided by the insightful vision of King Mohammed VI, the Supreme Commander and Chief of Staff of the Royal Armed Forces, remain firmly engaged in supporting African partners in strengthening their capabilities in the field of peace support operations, considering Morocco a major player in the field of peace and security at the continental level.
He pointed out that the contribution of the Royal Armed Forces falls within the framework of an integrated approach aimed at strengthening collective capabilities through targeted training programs, the exchange of field experiences, and the development of basic skills that include operational planning, crisis management, and logistical support with its various components.
He added that the Kingdom, through bilateral cooperation efforts that have formed the subject of existing or ongoing military and technical cooperation agreements with approximately 30 African countries, plays an important role in strengthening the capabilities of these countries to contribute more effectively to the collective effort aimed at confronting common security challenges.
In this context, he highlighted that the Royal Armed Forces annually receive more than 2,000 trainees from various levels from African countries, in the military schools of the Land Forces, the Royal Air Forces, the Royal Navy, and the Royal Gendarmerie, to benefit from training in multiple specializations.
Arouch continued that a number of specialized trainings in peace operations were organized during 2025, which included basic areas, including the prevention of gender-based violence, medical aid in the field, operational management, as well as the use of heavy equipment.
He noted that these initiatives contribute to unifying skills, enhancing the ability to cooperate between African forces, and consolidating their strategic independence, which improves their collective ability to prevent and manage crises.
He indicated that the Center of Excellence for Peacekeeping Operations aspires to become a continental reference platform for training, according to the standards of the African Union, with the aim of supporting these dynamics to enhance capabilities in a sustainable manner.
The diplomat highlighted that the Royal Armed Forces annually organize multinational military maneuvers with the participation of many African countries, such as the "African Lion" and "Maroc Mantlait" maneuvers, with the aim of enhancing the interoperability and exchange of experiences and best practices in operational fields and crisis management.
Regarding the fight against hybrid threats, especially those that are growing in cyberspace, Mr. Arouch explained that Morocco is working to strengthen the cyber capabilities of its partners, with the aim of supporting their digital sovereignty and their ability to face emerging security challenges.
In this context, he mentioned that the Kingdom has hosted, to date, five annual meetings of the African National Cyber Security Association out of six meetings organized since the establishment of this body, highlighting that these stations have enabled the strengthening of cooperation axes, the identification of continental priorities, and the preparation of joint frameworks that aim to strengthen the digital resilience of Africa.
He added that Morocco played a pivotal role, in February 2025, in establishing the "African National Cyber Security Authority – Computer Emergency Response Team" on its soil, pointing out that this structure, which is a continental center for coordination, prevention and management of cyber incidents, represents a major step towards building an integrated African cybersecurity system.
The diplomat explained that the Kingdom, by hosting this strategic platform, places its expertise and infrastructure at the service of in-depth regional cooperation that contributes to the exchange of vital information and the strengthening of collective resilience.
He also mentioned that Morocco has been hosting the "GITEX Africa" exhibition for three years, the continental and international event that brings together the most prominent players in the field of cybersecurity and digital innovation, explaining that this event contributes to valuing African expertise, enhancing the continent's radiance on the technological scene, and launching new partnership dynamics.
He highlighted that Morocco organizes, on the sidelines of this event, a large-scale regional exercise known as "Drill," which combines in-person and remote sessions, bringing together more than 400 participants from public administrations, operators of critical infrastructure, and the private sector, stressing that this exercise aims to test the speed of response of teams to simulated electronic incidents, develop coordination between institutions, and enhance the culture of cyber resilience at the continental level.
This exercise also constitutes a distinctive space for developing the skills of young African competencies by exposing them to scenarios that approximate practical reality.
In the same spirit of cooperation and exchange of experiences, Morocco annually organizes the African Cybersecurity Forum, which has become a strategic platform for dialogue and exchange.
Arouch explained that this meeting brings together decision-makers from the public sector, technical experts, managers of critical infrastructure, and representatives of the private sector on key topics including: digital resilience, data protection and the security of critical infrastructure, in addition to integrating artificial intelligence into security systems.
He concluded that the Kingdom remains ready to contribute to various initiatives and peace support operations, and to build an independent and resilient African system based on digital trust, while at the same time affirming Morocco's full solidarity with the countries of the continent with which it shares the same values and global principles of peace and security on the basis of international law and legitimacy.
The Moroccan delegation participating in this meeting included, in addition to Mr. Arouch, Mr. Hassan Boukli, Director of the African Union and African Regional Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.
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