Political disagreement between Morocco and Algeria blocks counterterrorism cooperation

Political disagreement between Morocco and Algeria over the status of the Sahara «remained an impediment to bilateral and regional counterterrorism cooperation in 2017», the US State Department pointed out in its annual Country Reports on Terrorism for the year 2017.

Morocco, a Major Non-North Atlantic Treaty Organization ally, is a stable security-exporting partner that trains security, military, and law enforcement officials from sub-Saharan Africa and participates actively in the 5+5 Defense Initiative to address Mediterranean security issues, the report noted.

The Kingdom hosts the annual multilateral AFRICAN LION exercise and participates in multilateral regional training exercises, the source said, adding that Morocco is «also an active member of the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership».

Morocco has a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy that includes vigilant security measures, regional and international cooperation, and counter-radicalization policies, the report said.