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Rabat – General Michael Langley, the head of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), said this week that the idea of relocating the command’s headquarters from Germany to Morocco is not under consideration, primarily due to budgetary reasons.
Langley made the remarks in response to a question from Congressman Abe Hamadeh before the US House Military Affairs Committee.
“I know you have a lot of positive things to say about Morocco, and I do as well, as they were the first country to recognize the United States’ independence, and it seems like their alliance is increasing with us,” the congressman said. He then asked whether the US command seeks to relocate its headquarters from Germany to Morocco.
In response, Langley stressed that the operational benefit of moving to Morocco would not outweigh the financial cost.
“The benefit operationally of us being able to operate from Stuttgard headquarters onto it does not benefit in an amount the cost of moving to headquarters would be a big dent for our budget,” the AFRICOM chief said.
He added that it is more advantageous for AFRICOM to consider the overall cost.
“We would not benefit from moving our headquarters onto the African continent,” Langley stated.
He concluded his remarks by stressing the importance of Morocco as a “great partner,” noting that what the North African country does in exporting security is tremendous.
In May, Morocco hosted the 21st edition of the African Lion military exercise, the largest in Africa. The event brought together military representatives from the US and several other countries, taking part in military exercises against security threats, including terrorism.
US officials have consistently described Morocco as a strategic ally in countering security threats across the region and beyond.
In March, Langley emphasized the importance of Morocco as a strategic partner, noting that African armies are viewing Rabat as a model.
“Morocco is a reference in defense and stability,” he said, expressing confidence that the partnership between the two countries will continue to grow and contribute to the continent’s stability and security.
Throughout the years, the US remained the largest exporter of arms to Morocco with 69% of the global imports, followed by France and Israel.
In light of these close military ties, several lobbyists have been campaigning against Morocco, which has been hosting the maneuver for 21 years now.
Former republican senator James Inhofe was among the most staunch supporters of Polisario in Washington, continuously maneuvering against Morocco.
“I have pushed [the Pentagon] to look at alternative locations for the annual African Lion military exercise that’s been hosted in Morocco previously,” news website Defense News recently quoted Inhofe as saying at a hearing in 2022. “I’m pleased that [Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin] is in agreement with me on this issue.”
Nonetheless, AFRICOM officials have long defended Morocco’s hosting of the exercise, acknowledging that it will be difficult to find an African country able to replicate what Morocco has been able to do over the years as the host of the African Lion.
