Morocco and the UK strengthen security and defence ties
Morocco remains an important point of reference for security and defence in North Africa and globally.
The Moroccan kingdom participates in an international network of countries that actively collaborate to maintain stability and is a key player in this network.
The head of Moroccan national security, Abdellatif Hammouchi, maintains constant and close contacts with important figures in charge of security and defence of major world powers.
The head of Morocco's Directorate-General for National Security (DGSN) has recently held meetings at the highest level with important figures in this field, such as William Burns, Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Lieutenant General Abdulaziz bin Mohamed al-Howairini, head of the Saudi Arabian Security Service, Abdullah bin Mohamed al-Khulaifi, head of the Qatari Security Service, Frédéric Veaux, Director General of the French National Police, Ali Obaid al-Dhaheri, Head of UAE Intelligence Services, and Eugenio Pereiro Blanco, Spain's Commissioner General of Information.
This list of important personalities was also joined by Vice-Admiral Edward Algren, Britain's chief military adviser for the Middle East and North Africa, who paid a working visit to Rabat.
The reception took place at the headquarters of the Directorate General of Territorial Surveillance (DGST) in the Rabat capital, in the presence of British Ambassador Simon Martin, the counter-terrorism police liaison officer at the British Embassy in Rabat, two military and security attachés, as well as senior managers from various central departments of the DGSN and DGST.
They discussed the main regional and international security threats and challenges. This included the activity of cross-border criminal gangs engaged in illegal human trafficking.
They also discussed security at major international events, where Morocco is an authoritative voice in setting up security arrangements. In fact, the Moroccan kingdom advised, for example, France on the organisation of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, which demonstrates the prestige that the Moroccan kingdom enjoys abroad as a key player in international security and defence.
At the national level, for example, the Moroccan General Directorate of National Security and the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) organised a workshop in Marrakech entitled ‘The security of major sporting events’.
The Moroccan security body and INTERPOL discussed the important issue of security at major sporting events, which are often targeted by criminal gangs or terrorist groups for illegal activities or actions which threaten the personal integrity of participants and attendees.
The Moroccan kingdom will host the Africa Cup of Nations football tournament in 2025 and the World Cup in 2030, along with Spain and Portugal, two international sporting events of the highest level that may be the target of attacks or actions by terrorist or criminal gangs when they are held on Moroccan territory. The confidence of international institutions in the North African country to host this type of event demonstrates the consideration that the Moroccan kingdom is held in maintaining security and defence.
The 93rd session of INTERPOL's General Assembly, scheduled to take place in Marrakesh in 2025, will bring together high-level security officials representing the 195 member countries of the international body. The General Assembly is considered INTERPOL's highest administrative body which meets regularly and is attended by the heads of law enforcement agencies in their respective nations.
At the meeting in Rabat, Hammouchi and Algren also discussed ways to develop ongoing co-operation between the two countries in the scientific and technical fields related to security issues, especially explosives. Both officials encouraged further progress and deepening of this cooperation to strengthen security and defence collaboration between the two nations.
Britain's top military adviser for the Middle East and North Africa recognised Morocco's important role in maintaining regional security and stability in the face of existing challenges and threats.
Meanwhile, the Moroccan Director General of National Security stressed his country's firm commitment to strengthening the security partnership with the British nation.
