On September 24, 2026, Moroccan Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of National Defense Administration, Abdeltif Loudyi, received a US Congressional delegation led by Brian Mast, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the US House of Representatives. The meeting was held in Rabat, Morocco, and was conducted in accordance with Royal High Instructions. The two officials discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation in the field of defense.
During the meeting, Loudyi and Mast praised the excellent and long-standing relations between Morocco and the United States, highlighting the high level of military cooperation between the two countries. They reaffirmed their commitment to consolidating mutually beneficial relations and strengthening bilateral cooperation. The two officials also reviewed the state of cooperation in the field of defense, including the regular holding of the Defense Consultative Committee, frequent exchanges of visits by high-ranking officials, and the joint organization of the annual "African Lion" exercise.
Loudyi expressed his appreciation for the frank and positive support of the United States for Morocco's sovereignty over its entire territory, including the Sahara region. He also highlighted the constructive efforts made by the US to settle this dispute definitively. The Minister Delegate emphasized the various South-South cooperation and regional integration initiatives launched under the aegis of King Mohammed VI, which have made Morocco a dynamic actor in stability and shared prosperity in Africa.
The US Congressional delegation, led by Mast, praised King Mohammed VI's leadership, which has positioned Morocco as an important actor in stability and peace in the face of regional security challenges. The delegation also acknowledged Morocco's efforts to promote peace and stability in the region. The two parties discussed ways to further strengthen their strategic partnership, particularly in the fields of defense industry, cybersecurity, and space.
The meeting also touched on the importance of the "African Lion" exercise, which has become a major lever for achieving interoperability among the armed forces of participating countries, particularly African countries. The exercise is a testament to the strong military cooperation between Morocco and the United States. The two officials expressed their ambition to consolidate their partnership and strengthen their relations in the future.
At the end of the meeting, both parties expressed their commitment to strengthening their strategic partnership and cooperation in various fields, including defense, cybersecurity, and space. They also agreed to continue working together to promote peace and stability in the region. The meeting was seen as a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations between Morocco and the United States.
The visit of the US Congressional delegation to Morocco is a reflection of the strong ties between the two countries. The meeting between Loudyi and Mast demonstrates the mutual interest in strengthening cooperation and promoting peace and stability in the region. The two countries have a long history of cooperation, and this meeting has paved the way for further collaboration in the future.
Key points
- Morocco and the US have strengthened their military cooperation, including the joint organization of the annual "African Lion" exercise.
- The two countries have expressed their commitment to consolidating their strategic partnership and cooperation in various fields, including defense, cybersecurity, and space.
- The meeting between Loudyi and Mast has paved the way for further collaboration between Morocco and the US in promoting peace and stability in the region.
