US Ambassador Attends First African Lion Humanitarian Mission in Dakhla

Rabat – US Ambassador Duke Buchan III attended the first-ever Humanitarian Civic Assistance (HCA) activity held in the Moroccan southern city of Dakhla as part of the African Lion exercise.

The visit highlights the expansion of African Lion beyond military training to include direct humanitarian action, as well as “the growing strength of U.S.-Morocco defense cooperation and its direct impact on local communities,” according to a statement from the US Mission in Morocco.

Dakhla hosted this medical initiative for the first time, with US and Moroccan teams working together to provide healthcare services to local residents.

More than 100 US military medical personnel joined Moroccan teams to treat over 20,000 patients in Dakhla and Taroudant.  Services in Dakhla included dental hygiene awareness sessions, distribution of hygiene kits for children, and eye consultations, with many patients receiving eyeglasses and basic care.

Speaking during the visit, the ambassador said the activity reflects the strong and long-standing partnership between the two countries.

The ambassador also reaffirmed US support for Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, calling for a resolution to the long-running dispute.

“President Trump is clear in his support for Moroccan sovereignty in the Moroccan Sahara. The time to resolve this historical dispute is now, not tomorrow. We owe it to all the people of this region,” Duke Buchan II said. “From Tangier to Dakhla, the U.S. stands with Morocco. This is what 250 years of friendship looks like.”

African Lion is the largest US military exercise on the continent, bringing together more than 40 countries each year. It includes joint training in security, crisis response, and coordination between armed forces, while also integrating humanitarian programs aimed at supporting local populations.

Morocco plays a central role in the exercise and is considered a key US partner in the region. The country holds the status of Major Non-NATO Ally, which allows for closer military cooperation, joint exercises, and access to advanced defense equipment.

Over the years, defense ties between Morocco and the United States have grown stronger, with regular joint drills and strategic coordination. The expansion of African Lion to include cities like Dakhla shows how this partnership is evolving to combine security efforts with direct support for communities.