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Rabat – US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth conveyed his country’s appreciation on Thursday at the South Zone General Staff headquarters in Agadir.
“Today, African Lion is in its 22nd edition. I would like to extend special thanks to our host, the Kingdom of Morocco, for its exceptional and enduring commitment to this exercise,” Hegseth indicated via video conference during a ceremony held on Thursday.
He described the drill as an exercise designed to improve interoperability and increase participating countries’ capacity to jointly address security challenges, while eradicating terrorist safe havens.
“African Lion is much more than a simple training exercise: it is an innovation platform that allows us to collectively explore new solutions and technologies that enhance our operational effectiveness on the battlefield,” he said.
For Hegseth, the message of the African Lion is clear to those who seek to destabilize the continent, recalling commitment from the US and its allies to resolve and grow cooperation to defend their interests.
“This exercise reaffirms our shared commitment to regional security and stability, and there is no better partner to host it,” Hegseth said, referring to Morocco.
“Morocco represents one of our nation’s oldest and most treasured relationships,” he added.
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Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces and Commander of the South Zone, renewed Morocco’s determination and commitment to improving security cooperation.
He spoke emphatically of the need to reinforce “African Lion” maneuvers, pointing to a renewed framework that would be aimed at consolidating readiness, deepening partnerships, and developing a collective spirit to meet present challenges.
Berrid also commended bilateral ties between the two countries, recalling that the year 2027 will coincide with the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Rabat and Washington.
For the high-ranking Moroccan officer, the next African Lion should have a profound symbolic scope and a special significance that mirrors the strength of the bonds of friendship uniting the two countries.
USAFRICOM Commander General Dagvin Anderson said that the African Lion is a premier joint, multi-domain, and multinational exercise in Africa.
“Our shared commitment to a secure and prosperous Africa is not just a promise, but it is a formidable, ready, and unified force that will make it a reality,” he said.
Earlier this month, Berrid also held talks with US Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll to discuss military cooperation.
The military exercise kicked off on April 20, including training activities like drone operations, cyber defense, satellite systems, and electronic warfare. The exercise runs until May 8, featuring armed live fire drills and special operations training to CBRNE exercises and humanitarian civil assistance.
On the sidelines of the African Lion drill last week, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Ambassador Duke Buchan visited the 6th Royal Moroccan Air Force Base and the 2nd Airborne Infantry Brigade in Benguerir to meet with Moroccan and American personnel participating in the maneuvers.
