Transnational Security: Rabat, the Epicenter of a Strategic Alliance Between Morocco, Spain, and Germany
In a geopolitical context in which cross-border cooperation has become the ultimate bulwark against instability, the Moroccan capital hosted a major security summit on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Abdellatif Hammouchi, Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance (DGSN-DGST), welcomed his counterparts Francisco Pardo Piqueras, Director of the Spanish National Police, and Dieter Romann, Head of the German Federal Police. This tripartite meeting, now embedded in a regular calendar, reflects the determination of the three powers to cement a robust security axis between the two shores of the Mediterranean.
This meeting represents the natural continuation of a process initiated in Madrid in January 2025. The objective is clear: to institutionalize exchanges between intelligence and law enforcement services in order to respond to increasingly hybrid threats. By hosting the police chiefs of the two largest economies in the European Union, Morocco confirms its status as an indispensable partner and a “lock” of regional stability, capable of engaging on equal footing with the highest Western security authorities.
The particularly dense agenda reflected today’s major security concerns. The three officials conducted a thorough assessment of their coordination in the fight against terrorism and organized crime. Beyond declaratory statements, discussions focused on refining mechanisms for sharing operational intelligence on sensitive issues such as irregular migration, drug trafficking, and, increasingly, cybercrime—a front where technology is constantly reshaping investigative methods.
The situation in the Sahel-Sahara region also weighed heavily on the discussions. The security chiefs analyzed the dynamics of terrorist groups in this unstable area and their direct impact on Euro-Mediterranean security. In the face of this persistent threat, participants stressed the vital importance of technical and operational synergy. The convergence of views expressed in Rabat reflects a shared realization: the security of Berlin or Madrid largely depends on Morocco’s ability to control flows and networks deep within its African hinterland.
One of the most innovative aspects of the meeting concerns “sports security,” a field in which Morocco is preparing for a challenge of global scale. With the 2030 World Cup in sight, the three delegations laid the foundations for a model of crisis management and supporter flow control. During a visit to the Prince Moulay Abdellah sports complex, German and Spanish officials observed cutting-edge protocols that will be deployed as early as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), incorporating state-of-the-art digital surveillance technologies.
A notable visit to the African Security Cooperation Center highlighted the originality of Morocco’s approach. This center, a true intercontinental control tower, enables constant liaison between Moroccan liaison officers and their foreign counterparts. This unique infrastructure illustrates the Kingdom’s ability to centralize security expertise to ensure the smooth running of sporting competitions, while providing optimal protection for international delegations and audiences.
This Rabat summit goes beyond a mere protocol visit to become a strong political act. It enshrines an integrated security vision in which human intelligence and technological innovation work hand in hand to confront cross-border threats. By strengthening this diplomatic triangle, Morocco, Spain, and Germany send a clear signal of resilience and solidarity, affirming that only a coordinated, multilateral response can guarantee peace and stability in an ever-changing world.