Rabat – US Senator Dan Sullivan stressed Morocco’s potential as a “great” candidate in Africa to host the United States Africa Command’s (AFRICOM) headquarters.
Sullivan made his remarks before the US Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this month, stressing that the time has come for Africa to host AFRICOM headquarters.
AFRICOM is one of the US Department of State’s unified combatant commands. Its headquarters are currently located in Stuttgart, Germany.
Addressing the committee, Sullivan stressed the importance of Morocco as one of the US’ “impressive” and “longest standing” allies.
“I don’t know, to what specificity you can provide thoughts, and maybe this is kind of even against your own interests. But it did occur to me that I think it’s time to have AFRICOM headquarters in Africa. Somewhere, Morocco? I think they’d be a great candidate,” the Republican senator said.
US Marine Corps General Michael Langley, Commander of US AFRICOM, commented on Sullivan’s remarks, stressing that the demand has come up “numerous times in the past.”
In response, Sullivan acknowledged that such a proposal had been blocked by “some members of the committee,” who suggested maintaining AFRICOM’s headquarters in Germany.
“That’s not a good answer. Right?” Sullivan asked.
Langley acknowledged that an AFRICOM headquarters on the continent could be useful, but maintained that the headquarters’ current location in Germany is beneficial as it provides proximity to several partners.
AFRICOM holds its largest annual exercise, African Lion, annually in Morocco.
Langley made a two-day visit to Morocco last year in October, marking his first trip to the North African country as US AFRICOM Commander. During the visit, Moroccan and US military crops confirmed that the 2023 African Lion exercises will take place in Morocco, which has hosted the military exercise for 18 years.
The confirmation came amid lobbying attempts against Morocco’s hosting rights.
Former Republican Senator James Inhofe, known for his support of Polisario, has been lobbying against Morocco’s hosting right, recently requesting a search for alternative sites to host the military exercise.
AFRICOM officials, however, have long emphasized Morocco’s leadership as the host for the drills.
Former AFRICOM commander US General Stephen J. Townsend stressed that it will be difficult to find a host for the military drilling as “fantastic as Morocco.”
Langley echoed Tonwsend’s remarks, stressing the importance of cooperation between the US and Morocco and describing their ties as “stronger than ever.”
