Pentagon Highlights HM the King's 'Strong Leadership' as Africa Faces Multiple Threats

The U.S. Department of Defense highlighted “the strong leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI,” at a time when the African continent faces multiple threats, said, Saturday a report of the meeting, held Friday in Rabat, between the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper, with minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita.

“Even as Africa contends with these threats, the Secretary noted (during this meeting) the strong leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, highlighting the progress and strength of the U.S.- Moroccan partnership as part of larger effort to counter instability on the continent,” according to the same source.

Esper and Bourita “shared their mutual concerns about regional instability caused by violent extremist groups and coercive foreign activity”, the report said, adding that the two officials also “discussed the important work of the Transitional Government in Mali to restore constitutional rule and prevent terrorists from taking advantage of the situation”.

The U.S. Secretary of Defense and minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, on the other hand, stressed the importance of the new ten-year (2020-2030) Roadmap for Defense Cooperation signed (in Rabat October 2, 2020) between the United States and Morocco, adding that this Roadmap will guide cooperation in a range of priority areas.

Esper took the opportunity to express his full support for initiatives aimed at modernizing Morocco’s defense sector, noting that these developments are likely to further strengthen the ability of the United States and Morocco to more effectively face regional threats together.

The U.S. Secretary of Defense thanked Morocco, a Major Non-NATO Ally, for its leadership role in advancing stability and security across Africa, which is a top priority for the United States, concluded the Pentagon report.