Inside Africa: The Latest Military Agreement in the Morocco-U.S. Relationship
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Morocco and the United States have shown they will continue their long history of cooperation with a 10-year military agreement signed by representatives from both countries in early October. United States Secretary of Defense Mark Esper visited Rabat, Morocco, just days after signing a similar deal in Tunisia, to meet with Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in order to sign the commitment to combat Islamic extremists in the region. Morocco is already considered a valuable ally to the United States in its anti-terrorism efforts in Libya and the Sahel-Sahara region, and this agreement exemplifies the two countries ties that go back to the United State’s independence.
In a public address following the agreement’s signing, Bourita said, “Our long-standing alliance has not only endured the test of time. We have stood side by side throughout the major challenges that shaped the 20th century, and we have transitioned into the 21st century stronger than ever,” indicating the North African country’s plans to continue with the alliance, especially as it works to develop its own military power. Morocco has begun building up its own military forces and power in the region, focusing much of its investments in new equipment. By the end of 2019, Morocco had made $10.3 billion, part of the $20 billion earmarked for a specific goal, in deals with the United States for U.S. weapons.
It outranks Saudi Arabia, who used to be the primary recipient of U.S. weapons. Morocco has purchased aircraft and helicopters and upgraded its fleet of F-16 fighter jets through the U.S. It is all in an effort to turn Morocco into a new military power with a stronger devotion to investing in its equipment. Already, it is making strides in reaching “regional supremacy,” and it became the seventh military power in Africa. Continuing in its partnership with the United States, more than half of Morocco’s arms deals are with the states, followed close by France at 44% of its deals, and Italy at 1.4%.
Though with all of its spending, Morocco looks to become a major manufacturer on its own. Last July, King Mohammed VI approved a bill that will allow for weapons manufacturing plants and contribute to Morocco’s goal. The move is expected to help the country become less reliant on imports. It is part of its five-year plan to modernize its military with an 29% increase in defense spending, becoming an “protective shield and the impassable rampart for the defense of the nation and its sacred values,” King Mohammed VI said in the North Africa Post. However, the bill does provide some reassurance to the countries it deals with including France, the UK, Pakistan, Brazil, and Belgium. The bill is not expected to impact these already established ties, though it is expected to help Morocco as an “island in a North African ocean of instability.”
The region has seen its own issues with terrorism, which has taken root all across the continent. Pockets of terrorists have found a home in Morocco and Algeria in the past. Since then, Morocco has worked to implement policies and procedures to combat the Islamic extremists in the region. In 2019, Morcoccan authorities arrested 13-person, nine-person, and seven-person cells of terrorists operating within the country. Border security remains a priority for the government, it is a member of international organizations countering financing for terrorists, and it has developed strategies to counter religious extremism through youth outreach and reviewing educational curriculum and scholarly research. All of this is done in collaboration with international entities all over the world, including the United States.
The Morocco-United States relationship began when Morocco was one of the first countries to recognize the U.S. as an independent country back in 1777. The first treaty that would mark their friendship was signed in 1786, which is the longest unbroken agreement the United States has honored. Other agreements and partnerships between the two have been established in the nearly 250-year friendship as both share similar interests in trade and national security issues, including the counter terrorism efforts. Other cooperative initiatives include efforts to counter illicit trafficking, promoting good governance, and educational efforts.
Though the United States and Morocco have been allies for a long time, the United States became particularly interested in counter terrorism following September 11, 2001. The attack that launched a massive effort against Islamic extremists that is ongoing to this day. As previously reported in this column, international actors have also worked to combat the terrorist groups in Africa, particularly the French against Jama’at Nasr al-Islam in West Africa, a branch of al-Qaida that has taken root in the region. Similarly, the United States’ “war on terrorism” has resulted in an increased military presence in the region. In 2003, President George W. Bush announced a $100 million counter terrorism initiative for East Africa and the Horn. It was the first time the U.S. sent its forces in notable numbers, which drew some criticism the same way the French forces have been criticized as a move toward neo-colonialism and an assertion of dominance in Africa.
However, jihadists have found the continent with so much diversity, poverty, and often little government oversight, leaving its countries vulnerable to the radicals who have committed atrocities in Africa from Sudan to South Africa. In Northern Africa, cells of jihadists have been found, wrecking havoc and causing instability which Morocco, with the help of the United States, is bulking up its military to combat.
