U.S. Strengthens Military Ties With Morocco as AFRICOM Relocation Talks Heat Up

The U.S. is strengthening its military alliance with Morocco, despite reducing assistance to Ukraine and certain NATO partners, as stated in a recent report.


Mondafrique.

The bolstering of the partnership is clear from the prominent inauguration event held at the 1st Royal Air Force Station in Salé, marking the delivery of the initial tranche of six Apache AH-64E assault helicopters to Morocco as part of an overall procurement of 36 units.

This enhanced military collaboration occurs during President Donald Trump’s second term. Known for his enduring respect for Morocco’s royal family, Trump is perceived as strengthening America’s dedication to its North African ally.

The potential relocation of AFRICOM’s headquarters from Stuttgart, Germany, to Kenitra has further fueled speculation regarding a possible change in U.S. military strategy.

According to reports in the Spanish media, Washington has carefully examined this possibility, viewing Morocco as a more geopolitically beneficial site for managing activities across Africa and the southern Mediterranean region.

Trump’s connections with Morocco trace back to 1992 when he met with the former King Hassan II. Thirty-three years later, his government is accelerating defense cooperation with the country.

Although the U.S. addresses Morocco similarly when it comes to developmental assistance, their military relations follow a distinct path.

Morocco frequently hosts significant combined exercises like “African Lion,” one of Africa’s largest military drills, where U.S., Moroccan, and allied nation troops come together for training.

The forthcoming event scheduled from May 12 to 23, 2025, will be held in various Moroccan cities such as Agadir, Tan-Tan, Tiznit, Kenitra, Benguerir, and Tifi nt.

These changes aren’t met with enthusiasm by all. Concerns raised by Spanish news organizations such as EL INDEPENDIENTE and LA RAZÓN highlight worries over Morocco enhancing its air power through the procurement of Apache helicopters, which they see as revealing weaknesses in Spain’s own aerial defense preparedness.

In terms of diplomacy, Trump swiftly worked to gain support from countries in the area. On March 8, he declared through Truth Social that Duke Buchan III, a trusted advisor and ex-U.S. ambassador to Spain and Andorra, was appointed as the new U.S. ambassador to Morocco.

In the meantime, according to Politico, John Peter Pham, who is recognized as an advocate for robust relations between the United States and Morocco, is under consideration for the position of Assistant Secretary of State for African affairs.

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The U.S. strengthens its military relationships with Morocco during discussions about relocating AFRICOM.
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