US-Morocco Military Exercises ’African Lion 2023’ Begin Without Spanish Participation

Spain will not participate in these military exercises, the largest organized on the continent, despite the resumption of its relations with Morocco after the change of position on the Sahara, official sources told Vozpópuli. Through African Lion, the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) is strengthening its ties with the participating countries for better security in the region where the influence of the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda is growing.

The organization of these military maneuvers is a sign of the good bilateral cooperation between the United States and Morocco, who have strengthened their military alliance in recent years, with Rabat being considered by Washington as a strategic partner in the region, and Washington as an important ally of Rabat to become the regional superpower, ahead of Algeria.

"The annual African Lion military exercise, the largest in Africa, continues to be fundamental to our long-term relationship with Morocco," they say from the United States. American and Moroccan military commanders met in Agadir, Morocco between January 9 and 20 to prepare for this year’s African Lion, which should take place from May 22 to June 16 in the regions of Agadir, Tan-Tan, Mehbes, Tiznit, Kenitra, Ben Guerir, Tifnit and in the Sahara.

The Sahara is a sensitive issue in Morocco’s foreign policy. The United States has recognized the Moroccanness of the Sahara since 2020. Spain, for its part, declared its support for the Moroccan autonomy plan for this territory in March, after several months of crisis with the kingdom. The two countries will hold a high-level meeting in the coming days to strengthen their relations.