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Join on Telegram In a world witnessing rapid transformations and cross-border risks, the Moroccan security institution is no longer merely a guardian of internal stability but has become a strategic pillar in shaping the North African country’s foreign policy. As the seventieth anniversary of the establishment of the Directorate General of National Security (DGSN) is commemorated, a unique model of “security diplomacy” emerges as a Moroccan soft power that has successfully imposed its presence globally, transforming intelligence efficiency, field professionalism, and modern technological equipment into bridges for strategic cooperation with major powers and a safety valve for regional and international peace.
Since its establishment seventy years ago, the DGSN has been committed to keeping pace with the latest technological developments in the security field, equipping its various units with state-of-the-art devices and advanced technologies. At the forefront of these innovations is the smart vehicle “AMANE,” unveiled by the DGSN, which represents a qualitative leap in the history of security work in Morocco.
This vehicle, fully designed and developed by Moroccan engineers and DGSN staff, incorporates the latest security technologies, including advanced artificial intelligence-based facial recognition systems using deep learning algorithms, a 360-degree camera providing comprehensive visual coverage of the surroundings, an integrated drone for wide aerial coverage, an automatic license plate recognition system operating in real time, a centralized digital command system enabling instant communication with monitoring and control rooms, and an intelligent alarm system capable of detecting suspicious behaviors in real time.
This modern equipment is not merely a supplementary tool but has become a fundamental pillar of daily security operations, enabling Moroccan security services to enhance their capabilities in combating organized crime, terrorism, cybercrime, and irregular migration. Development has not been limited to the technical aspect but has extended to include infrastructure and field response. The Mobile Emergency Police Unit was established to provide field security support to the main command and coordination center of the Casablanca Security Prefecture.
These units consist of patrols operating around the clock on a rotation system, 7 days a week and 24 hours a day, equipped with motorcycles and intervention vehicles characterized by rapid mobility within urban areas. These units directly receive initial data regarding emergency calls, with the ability to respond in the field and intervene immediately at the fastest possible speed, within timeframes that are constantly monitored and tracked by specialized services at both central and regional levels. Furthermore, the DGSN has engaged in recent years in a plan to develop police facilities and modernize security buildings and installations, providing integrated workspaces that improve working conditions for employees on one hand, and enhance reception conditions for the public on the other.
From citizens to cooperation
The DGSN’s openness has not been limited to the international arena but has extended to Moroccan citizens at home. It now organizes annual open days in various cities across Morocco, offering the general public a valuable and rare opportunity to learn up close about the DGSN’s working methods and discover the advanced machines and modern equipment it employs in its daily operations. These open days, which attract massive public turnout from all age groups and social categories, reflect the philosophy of transparency and openness adopted by the DGSN and embody its trust in its citizens.
They also contribute to strengthening the bonds of trust and cooperation between the police and the public, reinforcing a culture of participatory security based on awareness and collective responsibility. These annual events have become an important occasion to showcase the latest technological security innovations, such as the “AMANE” smart vehicle, drones, facial recognition systems, and other advanced equipment, allowing visitors to witness firsthand the level of development achieved by the Moroccan security institution.
The close security cooperation established by the DGSN with various European countries is the clearest evidence of its success and global excellence. The DGSN has proven itself to be a trusted strategic partner for major European nations. In a unique event, Rabat hosted the periodic meeting between Abdellatif Hammouchi, Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance, and his counterparts, the Director General of the Spanish National Police and the Director General of the German Federal Police.
The meeting discussed evaluating levels of coordination and cooperation on security and intelligence issues of common interest, foremost among them counter-terrorism, irregular migration, drug trafficking, cybercrime, and joint coordination regarding the security of major sporting events, most notably the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
During a working visit to Vienna, the Austrian official commended the significant security support provided by the Moroccan police, which contributed to thwarting serious terrorist plots and arresting extremists operating on Austrian soil, expressing her country’s desire to benefit from the Moroccan experience in this field. A working visit to Sweden culminated in the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the DGSN and the Swedish Police, aimed at strengthening cooperation in training, information exchange, and operational practices.
The agreement includes procedures for the rapid exchange of information on terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, cybercrime, financial crime, human trafficking, and irregular migration. Swedish authorities also proposed Morocco’s participation in a European network for tracking wanted persons.
These advanced levels of cooperation, which place Morocco among the ranks of major powers in the security field, did not come from nowhere. They are the result of decades of serious institutional work, transparency, high professionalism, and the ability of Moroccan security services to achieve tangible results in the field, which has led European countries to trust the Moroccan experience and consider it a model to emulate and an indispensable partner. This international trust has made the DGSN a central actor in Morocco’s parallel diplomacy.
Through its active contribution to international security conferences and participation in monitoring and security exchange missions, the DGSN has succeeded in conveying a bright image of modern Morocco and supporting the North African country’s primary national cause by highlighting its role in regional stability. It has become clear to everyone that Moroccan security is no longer confined within borders but has transcended them to global horizons, thanks to proactive vision, technological modernization, and distinguished international cooperation, as well as its openness to its local community through open days that embody a unique model of institutional transparency in the region.
On its seventieth anniversary, the DGSN proves that it has never been an ordinary security institution but has become one of the most important hallmarks of a rising Morocco, a model to be emulated in the region and the world, proof that security and development are two sides of the same coin, and that international cooperation based on trust and competence is the only way to confront shared risks.
The modern equipment it has provided, foremost among them the “AMANE” smart vehicle and the Mobile Emergency Police Units, the open days that establish a police force close to the citizen, as well as the close cooperation with European countries from Spain and Germany to Austria and Sweden, are the best evidence of its absolute success and global excellence, making it a source of pride for Morocco and a guarantor of security for the region and the world.
