Planning meeting concludes in Morocco ahead of African Lion 2024
The Planning meeting for the US-Morocco joint military exercise concludes today.
Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces (FAR) and the United States Armed Forces jointly hosted the meeting ahead of the annual multinational military drills, known as the African Lion. The exercise strengthens interoperability among partner nations and supports U.S. military strategic preparedness to respond to crises and uncertainties in Africa and around the world.
The meeting decided on which activities would be held, including comprehensive training in operational domains and civil-military actions. The Africa Lion 2024 is expected to take place from May 20-31 across several regions.
There have been a number of military coups in West Africa since 2020, and many of these governments have warmed up to Russia as the Wagner Group has expanded its influence in the region. Therefore, the meeting appears an attempt by the Biden Administration to bolster security partnerships in the West African region, and especially with Morocco who may play a bigger role in the US’ security objectives in West Africa, as Western influence has waned in recent months. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged $45 million to boost coastal West African security, extending funding of a continuous program in the region to $300 million.
