Hammouchi and Morocco's leadership in global security: cooperation and strategy at the Moscow forum
The Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance of Morocco (DGST-DGSN), Abdellatif Hammouchi, has once again consolidated his role as a central figure in the field of global security and intelligence, in an international context strongly marked by growing threats, especially with regard to terrorism.
From 27 to 29 May, Hammouchi participated in the 13th International Meeting of Senior Security Officials, held in Moscow. There, representatives from more than 100 countries and organisations discussed the main challenges facing intelligence and defence services around the world in an increasingly interconnected and therefore vulnerable context.
Morocco, a key international partner
Hammouchi's presence at this international summit was not merely representative. During his speeches, the Moroccan official strongly advocated the need to establish a ‘common and indivisible’ global security infrastructure governed by the principles of equitable global cooperation between all the world's intelligence services.
He also raised the urgent need to share critical information securely, quickly and reliably, based on the principle of mutual benefit and shared responsibility among the security services of all countries.
‘At a time when threats are intertwined and risks transcend geographical borders, they prove to be a solid pillar in the edifice of regional and international stability,’ Abdellatif Hammouchi said in Moscow among the elites of the world's intelligence services.
‘Morocco is not a country for criminals’
In recent years, Morocco has gone from being a transit point for criminal networks to becoming a regional benchmark in strategic security. ‘Morocco is no longer a safe haven for fraudsters; rather, it has become a security hub for them and a formidable force in the fight against cross-border crime,’ he added.
Behind this change is a clear commitment to a policy of capacity building, technological modernisation and international collaboration. Morocco is no longer seen as a weak territory in terms of surveillance, but as a key partner in containing cross-border threats, especially for the European Union, as Morocco's containment of terrorists from the Sahel is essential for the security of the Union.
This is confirmed by statistics on the arrest of individuals wanted by INTERPOL, the neutralisation of terrorist cells and preventive actions against cybercrime.
‘Behind every arrest of an internationally wanted person, and behind every foiled infiltration attempt, there is a vigilant security apparatus, operating with a proactive spirit and great professionalism,’ added the director general of the DGST-DGSN.
Bilateral meetings
On the sidelines of the forum, Hammouchi held bilateral meetings with officials from the Russian FSB (Federal Security Service), as well as other senior officials from international agencies. These meetings served to deepen cooperation on issues such as terrorism, organised crime, cyber security and the direct and secure exchange of information.
These meetings only serve to reinforce and demonstrate that Morocco is no longer a secondary player in security matters, but has become a key country that acts as a hinge between Africa and Europe and has proven to have solid capabilities to be a reliable partner.
‘A global architecture’
One of Hammouchi's key messages was that ‘there can be no true security unless it is shared’. Morocco is committed to a global architecture that does not exclude the countries of the South, but integrates them as active partners, which distances Rabat's policies from the current unilateral models adopted by the vast majority of countries. In these times of change, Morocco has opted for a ‘win-win’ approach and more sustainable and, above all, horizontal cooperation.
‘The Moroccan model is based on international coordination and is proof that Moroccan professionalism no longer just impresses, but terrifies those who are committed to chaos or infiltration,’ he concluded.
Hammouchi's speech in Moscow reinforces Morocco's position as a key player in international security that coordinates, anticipates, adapts and actively contributes to regional and global stability.
