Morocco could soon become the new strategic hub for the United States military in Africa, as Washington considers a major realignment of its defense posture on the continent.
The U.S. government is currently assessing the possibility of relocating the headquarters of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) from Stuttgart, Germany to Africa.
Among the locations now under consideration by the U.S. Senate is Morocco, a long-standing security partner of the United States. The move is part of a broader geopolitical shift amid intensifying competition with China and Russia across Africa.
The structural separation of AFRICOM from U.S. European Command (EUCOM)—recently approved by Congress—signals a clear intent to grant AFRICOM greater autonomy in strategic planning and operational deployment.
Within this framework, Rabat stands out as a credible option, thanks to its modern military infrastructure, relative political stability, and strategic geographic location at the crossroads of the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Sahelian routes.
General Michael Langley, head of AFRICOM, has praised Morocco as an “exemplary partner,” highlighting its contributions to UN peacekeeping missions, its military training capabilities, and its logistical cooperation.
A Peace Operations Center of Excellence, jointly funded by Washington and Rabat, is set to open in the Moroccan capital in September 2025, further reinforcing the kingdom’s growing role in Africa’s security architecture.
Although the final decision has yet to be made by the Pentagon, several analysts view Morocco’s candidacy as a reflection of shifting U.S. military priorities, particularly in response to structural vulnerabilities across the Sahel, where Washington aims to maintain its strategic foothold amid growing influence from rival powers.
MK/ac/lb/as/APA