AFRICOM chief praises Morocco but rules out HQ move from Germany

Speaking yesterday in Washington, General Michael Langley, head of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), addressed the Military Affairs Committee on security developments across the African continent. He dismissed, for the time being, the prospect of relocating AFRICOM’s headquarters from Stuttgart, Germany, to Morocco.

«From an operational perspective, the cost-benefit analysis... the benefit of moving to Morocco wouldn't exceed the cost», he said in response to a question from Republican Representative Abraham Hamadeh. «I would say from a cost analysis perspective, I think we are advantageous where we are right now when we look at the overall cost. We would not be benefiting from moving our headquarters onto the African continent», Langley added.

Nevertheless, Langley, who has led AFRICOM since August 2022, underscored Morocco’s strategic importance. «Morocco is a great partner, and what they do in exporting security is tremendous, especially in the sub-Saharan countries», he noted.

AFRICOM has been headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, since its establishment in 2007.