DGSN Marks 70 Years With Ceremonies Across Morocco, Focus on Modernization

Casablanca — Morocco’s National Security marked the 70th anniversary of the creation of the General Directorate of National Security on Saturday, May 16, with ceremonies held in several cities, including Casablanca, Oujda, and Fez.

The anniversary was presented as a moment to review the institution’s work over the past year, honor serving and retired officers, and recall the role played by the Sûreté nationale since its creation on May 16, 1956, shortly after Morocco regained independence.

The DGSN was established during a decisive period in Morocco’s modern history, as the country was building its national institutions after the end of the French protectorate. Its creation came in the early years of state-building, under the late King Mohammed V, at a time when Morocco was working to organize public administration, restore sovereignty, and create national security structures able to serve the newly independent state.

Since then, the institution has accompanied major changes in the country, from the expansion of cities and the growth of large urban centers to the evolution of crime, the rise of transnational threats, and the growing need for public services closer to citizens. The 70th anniversary was also used to present the DGSN as an institution that has moved from a traditional security model toward one based on modernization, proximity policing, digital services, and stronger technical capabilities.

The anniversary also comes ahead of the 7th edition of the DGSN Open Days, scheduled from May 18 to 22 in Rabat. The event will be held on the coastal area of the capital and will allow the public to discover police professions, equipment, specialized units, and daily missions.

The 2026 edition follows the 2025 Open Days in El Jadida, which attracted nearly 2.4 million visitors over five days, including pupils from 1,916 schools, around 1,500 civil society organizations, and 187 media outlets.

This year’s edition carries added symbolism, linking the 7th edition of the Open Days with the 70th anniversary of the institution. It is expected to include thematic stands, field demonstrations, conferences, educational activities and direct exchanges between citizens and members of the Sûreté nationale.

While these anniversary celebrations are taking place on a grand scale across the country, local prefectures hosted their own dedicated events as well.

In Casablanca, the police prefecture marked the DGSN’s 70th anniversary in the presence of the Wali of the Casablanca-Settat region and the governor of Casablanca prefecture, Mohamed Mhidia. The ceremony opened with the salute to the national flag, followed by parades by different police units.

Casablanca police prefect Abdellah El Ouardi said the prefecture had worked over the past year to strengthen security action under the DGSN strategy. He said that from May 16, 2025, to April 16, 2026, Casablanca security services recorded a case clearance rate of more than 89 percent, while continuing to modernize infrastructure and intervention mechanisms, including the use of DGSN drone units and mobile emergency police units.

El Ouardi also pointed to efforts to secure sensitive sites, vital spaces, tourist groups, and visitors to the city. The ceremony was attended by security and military officials, magistrates, elected officials, civil society actors, and public figures, and included a tribute to retired members of the National Security, as well as Quran recitations and patriotic songs by children from Quranic schools in Aïn Chock.

In Oujda, the police family celebrated the DGSN’s 70th anniversary in the presence of the Wali of the Oriental region and governor of Oujda-Angad prefecture, Mhamed Atfaoui, police prefect Abdelkhalek Zidaoui, the president of the Oriental Regional Council, Mohamed Bouarourou, and military, judicial, and local officials.

The ceremony opened with the salute to the national colors and included the participation of different police units, along with the presentation of logistical means and equipment used by DGSN officers in their daily work.

Zidaoui said the creation of the institution was an important moment in building the rule of law and national institutions. He reviewed the work carried out over the past year in public security, administrative services, traffic management, crime prevention, event security, awareness campaigns, good governance, and proximity policing, while stressing cooperation with local actors and the continued commitment of the police family in Oujda.

In Fez, the police prefecture held a ceremony attended by the Wali of the Fez-Meknes region and governor of Fez prefecture, Khalid Ait Taleb, the governor of Moulay Yacoub province, Mohamed Samir El Khamlichi, elected officials, heads of external services, and civil society actors.

Fez police prefect Mohamed Oualla Ouhtite said Morocco’s stability is the result of a preventive approach, coordination between security services, and citizen involvement. He said local security plans take into account the specific nature of Fez as a tourist city and a host of national and international events.

Ouhtite said the strategy relies on daily field data, preventive action, proximity policing, specialized brigades, and the deployment of units on the ground. He also cited efforts to fight cybercrime, raise public awareness, counter fake news, protect vulnerable groups, including women victims of violence, children, and victims of human trafficking, and secure major events.

Across the ceremonies, officials presented the anniversary as both a moment of memory and a look toward the future. Its current reforms focus on modernizing structures and equipment, improving security indicators, strengthening citizens’ sense of safety, developing scientific and technical police capabilities, and expanding digital services.

The institution also continues to promote proximity policing and security governance, while adapting to new threats and maintaining cooperation with Morocco’s international partners.

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