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Casablanca — Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said today that Morocco’s approach to Africa’s security challenges is guided by the vision of King Mohammed VI, stressing that stability, development, and security across the continent are closely connected.
Speaking at the opening of the fifth High-Level Meeting of Heads of African Counter-Terrorism and Security Agencies in El Jadida, Bourita pointed to a number of growing threats facing Africa. These include the spread of terrorist groups into new regions, ongoing armed conflicts, links between extremist organizations and transnational criminal networks, and the security risks associated with rapid technological change and artificial intelligence.
Bourita said Morocco views these challenges through a broader lens. He noted that the Kingdom’s African policy is rooted in the belief that Africa is not simply a neighboring continent or a diplomatic priority, but an integral part of Morocco’s identity and history.
“The development, stability and security of Africa are closely tied to those of Morocco,” he said, adding that the Kingdom’s commitment to counterterrorism efforts on the continent reflects a sense of responsibility rather than a matter of choice.
The minister also defended what he described as Morocco’s “Afro-optimistic” approach. While acknowledging the scale of the challenges facing the continent, he said Morocco continues to see Africa as a region of opportunity with the resources and potential needed to overcome its difficulties.
According to Bourita, King Mohammed VI has consistently advocated a comprehensive response to security threats, arguing that terrorism cannot be addressed through security measures alone. Economic development, social inclusion, and religious guidance must also form part of the response, he said.
He also highlighted several Moroccan initiatives aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and development, including the Atlantic African States Initiative and the initiative designed to facilitate Sahel countries’ access to the Atlantic Ocean.
Bourita further praised the role of the Marrakech Platform, launched in 2022, which brings together African security and counterterrorism officials as well as international partners. The annual gathering has been held successively in Marrakech, Tangier, Fez, Agadir, and now El Jadida.
Concluding his remarks, Bourita called for a stronger African voice in ongoing discussions on the United Nations’ global counterterrorism strategy, arguing that a continent increasingly affected by terrorism should play a central role in shaping international responses.
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