United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth praised Morocco’s role in hosting the “African Lion” military exercises, describing the Kingdom as the best possible partner for organizing the continent’s largest multinational military drills, amid growing strategic cooperation between Rabat and Washington.
Speaking via video conference during a ceremony held Thursday at the headquarters of the South Zone General Staff in Agadir, Hegseth thanked Morocco for what he called its “exceptional and enduring commitment” to the annual exercises, now in their 22nd edition.
“There is no better partner to host these maneuvers,” Hegseth said, emphasizing that “African Lion” reflects the shared commitment of the United States and Morocco to regional security and stability.
The Pentagon chief said the exercises have become a major platform for strengthening interoperability between allied forces and increasing collective capacity to confront security threats across Africa and beyond.
“African Lion improves interoperability and increases our capacity to jointly address security challenges, while eradicating terrorist safe havens,” he stated, warning that emerging threats continue to evolve rapidly and require constant innovation from allied militaries.
Hegseth also stressed that the drills are no longer limited to conventional military training, but have evolved into what he described as an “innovation platform” allowing participating countries to test new technologies and operational concepts under real battlefield conditions.
According to the U.S. official, the 2026 edition of African Lion integrates artificial intelligence, robotics and next-generation digital systems into multi-domain operational scenarios, transforming the exercises into what he called “a true innovation laboratory.”
“The message of African Lion 2026 is clear to those who seek to destabilize this continent: our shared resolve is unwavering, our capabilities continue to grow, and we are ready to defend our common interests,” Hegseth added.
For his part, Lieutenant General Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces and Commander of the South Zone, reaffirmed Morocco’s commitment to further developing the exercises as a framework for strengthening military readiness and strategic partnerships.
Berrid said Morocco remains determined to ensure that African Lion continues serving as a platform to deepen cooperation and reinforce collective preparedness in response to present and future security challenges facing the African, Mediterranean and Atlantic regions.
The Moroccan military official also highlighted the symbolic importance of the upcoming 2027 edition, which will coincide with the 250th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Morocco and the United States.
According to Berrid, the anniversary will give the next edition of African Lion “special significance,” reflecting the historic strategic ties and longstanding friendship between Rabat and Washington.
Meanwhile, General Dagvin Anderson, commander of U.S. Africa Command, described African Lion as Africa’s premier joint and multinational military exercise.
Anderson said the drills send a “clear and unambiguous message” that participating countries remain united in their commitment to a secure and prosperous Africa.
African Lion 2026 is taking place across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia with the participation of thousands of troops from more than 40 countries, making it the largest military exercise organized annually by the United States in Africa.
