Rabat – US Army General Stephen Townsend affirmed that the USA takes “sparring” in the Morocco-Algeria conflict seriously.
In a press briefing held on February 3, General Stephen Townsend was asked about the rising tensions between Morocco and Algeria, to which he openly responded, emphasizing that the US “would take seriously sparring between any countries on the [African] continent.”
The US military officer noted that there have not yet been violent clashes between the two countries, yet the US “takes seriously” even the ongoing nonviolent tensions.
Commenting on the political tensions between Rabat and Alger, General Townsend stressed, “both countries are concerned about their sovereignty; they’re concerned about the integrity of their borders.”
Throughout the years, Morocco and Algeria developed a “longstanding historical suspicions of one another,” he argued, adding that in their engagements with both countries, “we seek that they find accomodation and a way to get forward together.”
This is the first time a senior US military officer has spoken openly about tensions between the two countries.
Although Morocco has never taken any hostile action against Algerian territory, Algiers has been arming and financing the Polisario Front for decades which aims to undermine Morocco’s territorial integrity.
The press briefing was held to discuss the 2022 African Chiefs of Defense Conference and the United States’ and Africa’s shared commitment to security on the continent.
General Townsend every year directs the massive African Lion exercises, the most important military exercise on the African continent. In June 2021, General Townsend said the African Lion exercise is an “excellent example” of the US’ long-term commitment to Africa.
African Lion 2022 is expected to take place between June 20 and July 21 in the regions of Agadir, Tantan, Mahbas, Taroudant, Kenitra, and Benguerir.
The joint exercise aims to develop the technical and procedural joint work capacity between Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces, the US military, and the forces of 20 other participating countries.
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