Rabat – Air Marshal Martin Sampson, the UK Chief of Defense Staff’s Senior Advisor to the Middle East and North Africa (DSAME), talked with MWN about the future of Morocco-UK cooperation and regional issues.

Sampson was appointed to the position of Chief of Defense Staff’s Senior Advisor to the Middle East and North Africa in February of last year, in replacement of Lieutenant General Sir John Lorimer.

Speaking to MWN of the evolving Morocco-UK relationship, he noted how  ties between London and Rabat are quickly developing on many fronts in the post-Brexit era. 

In particular, he argued, Morocco’s leadership in Africa and growing assertiveness in the MENA appears to have strengthened the UK’s interest in forging a more strategic, security-driven cooperation with the North African kingdom. 

Military Cooperation

“The UK recognises the vital importance of working with partners to promote regional stability, and we have strong and deepening relationships with many partners across the Middle East and Africa,” Air Marshal Sampson said.

He emphasized cooperation to combat threats in the region, particularly non-state actors like terrorist organizations and transcontinental criminal networks.

The chief advisor also talked about the future of cooperation between London and Rabat, saying that the UK is interested in growing its defense equipment ties with Morocco in the future.

“There are some areas of defense engagement in which the UK takes particular pride – one of these is our training offer,” Sampson explained. “We hope that Morocco will continue to be a beneficiary of military training courses both in Morocco and the UK in the years to come.”

As the UK has been working closely with Morocco to enhance their operational capabilities in terms of eliminating terrorist threats, he argued, another key area of cooperation is counter terrorism operations.

Some key operations that the UK and Morocco have been working on had to be put on hold as the world grappled with the uncertainty and economic fallout of the COVID-19 crisis, but the Air Marshal expressed optimism about the future.

For him, security cooperation is a key part of the two kingdoms’ relationship. As Morocco and the world exit the pandemic, argued Sampson, the two countries are eager to continue this cooperation with the lessons learned from the pandemic.

“We particularly look forward to resuming our flagship bilateral exercise Jebel Sahara this Autumn,” he said.

Regional Security

Perhaps one of the biggest drivers for the UK to work extensively with Morocco is the country’s strategic geopolitical position in Africa.

Security concerns in Africa, particularly in the Sahel region, are indeed also important to Britain, Sampson explained.

“Given growing concern about the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel region and the resulting impacts, including increased migration towards North Africa and Europe and the trafficking of illicit material, sharing expertise in these areas will be increasingly valuable in our bilateral relationship,” he said.

The UK’s and other European nations’ strategy in the region seems to be shifting amid the Sahel’s expanding web of insecurity and political instability. From advocating or pushing for direct military intervention in the region, many European countries, the UK included, are now increasingly favoring working with regional allies with a proven record on security and stability maintenance.

Although some European countries have recently deprioritized their military operations in the Sahel, with France for example withdrawing its military from the region, Sampson affirmed that the countries remain focused on working with allies in the region.

“It’s very important to recognise that the withdrawal of Takuba Barkhane does not represent French, UK, European or international disengagement in the Sahel or in West Africa,” he said. “We remain committed to these critical regions in Africa and we are working with partners to reconfigure our efforts to combat criminality, terrorism and extremism.

“In terms of UK engagement specifically, we regularly conduct joint training with our allies and partners across West Africa to share skills and help build capacity to combat insecurity,” he added. “Both within their own borders and as part of UN peacekeeping missions in other more fragile states.”

Aside from Morocco, the Air Marshal explained while citing the recent visit of the Royal Navy ship HMS Trent to Tangier, the UK has been conducting training and cooperation exercises with various allies in the region.

Commenting on the ongoing war in Ukraine, Sampson dismissed the chances of a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

“While we might all aspire to a peaceful resolution, it’s quite clear that the Kremlin has never been serious about diplomacy, and instead remains focused on deceit and furthering its own territorial ambitions,” he said.

The British  advisor expressed the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine and affirmed that his country and its allies will keep taking steps to ensure the failure of Russia’s operation in Ukraine.

He also echoed sentiments previously expressed by the British Ambassador to Morocco, Simon Martin, saying that Ukraine’s important role in the global supply chain means Russia’s invasion of the country is bound to have a major impact on the entire world, including Africa.

Because Ukraine exports not only a lot of food but also fertilizers, Samspon pointed out, global food supplies have been particularly impacted by Russia’s ongoing war on Ukraine.

“Until Russia’s invasion in February, Ukraine was a key exporter of food and fertilizer, feeding up to 400m people worldwide,” he noted. “As the impacts on Morocco and the UK become clearer, we should work together to understand and, where possible, mitigate any consequential security challenges.”

Trade relations

Trade and economic relations between the UK and Morocco are expected to also play a big role in enhancing the centuries-long cooperation between the two kingdoms.

“Morocco Now,” a government-sponsored investment brand tasked with further consolidating Morocco’s status as a regional hub for trade and business, recently held meetings with London investors and businessmen to advertise investment opportunities in Morocco.

Morocco is also participating in the upcoming 2022 African Land Forces Summit, which signifies the country’s expansion of its defense systems.

The event presents clear opportunities for further expanding the existing ties between London and Rabat, especially as Air Marshal Sampson expressed the UK’s desire to grow defense equipment ties with Rabat in the future.

“We remain committed to joint efforts to counter threats from state and non-state actors, including terrorist groups and organised criminals, and we also recognise the potential for expanding relationships beyond the traditional security space, focusing on trade, prosperity, and the need to combat climate change,” Sampson said.

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