Friday’s high-level seminar on the work of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Program Offices, including the one in Rabat, was co-chaired by Morocco, Spain, Qatar, and Hungary in New York.

The directors of these offices were able to present the actions taken since the opening of these organizations dedicated to better coordination in the fight against terrorism at the meeting, which was held as part of the Third Counter-Terrorism Week organized by the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Office (UNOCT) from June 19 to 23. Additionally, it made it possible to draw attention to programs designed to improve the way these Program offices work with the host nations.

Ismail Chekkori, the Director of Global Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Abroad, addressed the audience and emphasized how Morocco and the UNOCT had a fruitful working relationship that had allowed the launch of a number of initiatives, such as the “Marrakesh Platform for African Heads of Security and Counter-Terrorism Agencies.

He stated that this platform serves as an annual forum to evaluate accomplishments, priorities, needs, and actions, while fostering inter-agency coordination and the exchange of best practices and experiences, and he considered it a salient example of the partnership between Morocco and the UNOCT that is built on trust and credibility.

Chekkori also emphasized the role played by national security organizations, which continue to be open to working with dependable partners in order to make real efforts that have real effects.

Noting that the Office had achieved concrete results after two years of existence, the speaker referred to the example of the launch of the “Marrakesh Platform” launched last year in collaboration with Morocco, emphasizing that this structure is a permanent forum that brings together more than 38 heads of security agencies from African Member States and partner countries to discuss challenges and lessons learned in the fight against terrorism, while agreeing on capacity building initiatives .

The UN Counter-Terrorism and Training Program Office in Africa, located in Rabat, strives to create and implement authorized programs with a focus on counterterrorism-related skill development and capacity building. In order to deliver high-quality training for the benefit of African States, it depends on the pooling of the experience of Morocco and the UNOCT, in accordance with a collaborative and cooperative approach reflecting a sense of collective responsibility.

The Assistant Director of the Department of International Organizations in the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Qatar, Hanouf Al-Thani, the Ambassador Permanent Representative of Hungary to the UN, Zsuzsanna Horvath, the Director of Counter-Terrorism at the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Deputy Under-Secretary of the UNOCT, Raffi Gregorian, all attended this side event.

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Nasser Bourita, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, expressed Friday in Dakhla the full support of Morocco for Burkina Faso’s efforts to combat terrorism and extremism.

At a joint press conference with his Burkinabe counterpart, Olivia Ragnaghnewendé Rouamba, at the conclusion of the 4th session of the Morocco-Burkina Faso Joint Commission, Bourita stated, “Morocco firmly condemns the cowardly attacks that have targeted Burkina Faso, a brotherly country, and which are contrary to the spirit of tolerance and coexistence that has always marked this country.

Given that over 60% of all terrorist activities worldwide take place in sub-Saharan Africa, he noted that the situation in Burkina Faso is intimately related to the unrest in the Sahel and Sahara region, where armed and terrorist groups have discovered fertile ground for their expansion.

He lamented the fact that more people have fallen victim to terrorist attacks in this area than in the Middle East or Southeast Asia.

“Today, there are at least 12 terrorist groups operating in the Sahel and Sahara region, colluding with 19 separatist groups that threaten the territorial integrity of African countries,” he stressed, noting that the scourge of terrorist group infiltration into Africa is a general phenomenon.

Burkina Faso, which is in the firing line, needs support and backing, given that the fight against terrorism in this country will have an impact on the entire Sahel and West Africa region, he added.

The Kingdom, which has made the fight against extremism and terrorism an absolute priority, continues to call on the international community to pay particular attention to this scourge, by supporting the measures and actions taken by African countries faced with this phenomenon, according to a holistic and innovative approach combining humanitarian action, development and peacebuilding, with a view to putting an end to the phenomenon of terrorism and violent extremism, he underlined.

Bourita affirmed that Morocco is following with interest the development of the transition process in Burkina Faso, and has confidence in the ability of the country’s leaders to deal with all developments in the country with wisdom and with the supreme national interest in mind, stressing that the measures taken in recent months by president Ibrahim Traoré are important for strengthening stability and relaunching the development process in this brotherly country.

After emphasizing that the transition process is moving forward, Bourita stated that Morocco continues to hold the view that elections are not held in order to achieve stability but rather as a means to that end. She added that holding elections in the absence of security and ongoing attacks is absurd.

In this regard, he applauded the Burkinabe authorities’ prudence, stating that Morocco is pleased and that the Kingdom is once more expressing its complete solidarity with Burkina Faso at this time.

“Working to strengthen state structures and interact with humanitarian needs demonstrates the existence of a sincere will to get Burkina Faso out of this difficult situation,” he continued, highlighting Morocco’s readiness to support the development program launched by H.E. president Ibrahim Traoré through support and the exchange of expertise, with the goal of achieving the desired results.

Burkina Faso has demonstrated remarkable stability and steadfastness in this particular situation, continued Bourita, who expressed confidence that this nation, with its leadership, its resources, the tenacity of its people, and the support of its allies, is able to overcome the challenges it is currently facing.

Nasser Bourita, the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Expatriates, and Olivia Ragnaghnèwendé Rouamba, the Burkinabe Minister of Foreign Affairs, jointly presided over the opening of the fourth session of the Morocco-Burkina Faso Joint Cooperation Commission in Dakhla.

In accordance with the guidelines established by the Heads of State of the two countries, His Majesty King Mohammed VI and His Excellency president Ibrahim Traoré, this session provided an opportunity to explore new horizons for strengthening cooperation relations between Morocco and Burkina Faso and to develop fruitful partnerships in a wide range of fields.

The meeting, which was attended by the ambassador, the director general of the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI), and officials from a number of departments, ended with the signing of 12 agreements that covered a range of bilateral cooperation topics.

Read Also: Morocco, Burkina Faso Sign Various Agreements at 4th Joint Commission in Dakhla

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Tangier – Morocco, under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, Morocco has spared no effort in supporting multilateral actions for the fight against terrorism, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita said on Friday in Tangier.

Speaking at the start of the second High-Level Meeting of Heads of Counter-Terrorism and Security Agencies in Africa, or “Marrakech Platform,” which was co-chaired by the Kingdom of Morocco and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), Bourita said, “Working according to multilateralism approach in the fight against terrorism is key for His Majesty King Mohammed VI.”

He further emphasized how Morocco has generously supported numerous UNOCT Rabat Office training initiatives in a number of ways, including politically, financially, technically, and in-kind.

Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, was commended for his work in this regard. He “continues to be an efficient partner to Morocco and committed advocate of African concerns and priorities as well as a partner of a global approach to counter terrorism” in this area.

According to Bourita, “no State can effectively address terrorism in isolation: collaboration with partners is essential,” and “our ability to do so depends heavily on the strength of cooperation and partnership.”

In this regard, Mr. Bourita emphasized the significance of “developing appropriation of African responses to combat terrorism” by African nations.

Assuring that Morocco is prepared to contribute to the successful implementation of this effort in accordance with His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s High Instructions in this area, he emphasized that Africa should also learn to rely on itself to engage in an African vision for the battle against terrorism.

The minister said that on the eve of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh Ministerial Meeting, which will take place in Riyad, Saudi Arabia, “we have to convey our assessment, concerns, and vision to the Global Coalition so that they can take them in due consideration.”

He stated that Morocco, one of the co-chairs of the Africa Focus Group together with Italy, Niger, and the United States, is prepared and available to do its part in this regard.

The Minister also emphasized that the relationship between terrorist and separatist groups is continuing to develop in a worrying fashion, endangering the national sovereignty of several nations, and that terrorists are moving their operations from the Sahel region to western coastal Africa.

We cannot allow ourselves to ignore this peril. We must act quickly to tackle it, he urged.

Despite the considerable advancements made in the battle against terrorism, Bourita issued a warning about the current environment, which is characterized by the threat of terrorism in Africa.

He noted that terrorist groups frequently target civilians and military installations, taking advantage of permeable borders and difficult living conditions of local people. “We are all aware that the region is witnessing a devastating surge in terrorist attacks and violence,” he added.

The Minister claims that these numbers accurately reflect the reality, particularly given that sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 4,023 of the 4,023 total terrorism-related fatalities globally, or 60% of all deaths.

He lamented that, “In 2022, the Sahel region accounted for more terrorism deaths than both South Asia and the MENA region combined,” and said that terrorist organizations exploit cutting-edge and modern technologies like drones, virtual assets, and encrypted communication platforms.

According to Bourita, who noted that 19 armed separatist groups are active in 22 African countries, “Africa is the only continent where three branches of ISIS and Al-Qaeda are active.”

Additionally, he reiterated Morocco’s dedication to the development of the “Marrakech platform” as a symbol of “its unwavering engagement toward its continent.”

In this regard, he presented “concrete proposals” that could be put into action within the parameters of the Marrakech Platform, such as the holding of Joint Training programs that could bring together personnel from counterterrorism agencies in order to foster mutual understanding of each other’s advantages, disadvantages, and operational processes.

He viewed the action-oriented nature of the Marrakech Platform as a “key attribute” that must be preserved, adding that the platform’s action-oriented vision must be maintained.

While making pronouncements is simple, he emphasized that true multilateralism involves coupling words with deeds.

In order to expedite coordination, encourage information sharing, and facilitate collaborative work, the Minister also underlined the necessity of forming joint working groups inside the “Marrakech Platform” that can concentrate on specific regional threats.

In order to promote the creation of mutually beneficial synergies and regional solutions tailored to specific local settings, this also entails enhancing regional cooperation with newly emerging counterterrorism frameworks.

38 high-level delegations from international, regional, and sub-regional organizations involved in counterterrorism will be present at the second High-Level Meeting of Heads of Counter-Terrorism and Security Agencies in Africa, or “Marrakech Platform,” which will take place over two days.

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Through prevention and education, Morocco and the European Union are launching an endeavor to combat violent extremism and terrorism.

The program was introduced on Thursday, concurrently with Morocco’s participation in the Global Counterterrorism Forum in Cairo.

Additionally, Hedayah, a group devoted to combating violent terrorism and extreme ideas, is working with this program.

Nasser Bourita, the foreign minister of Morocco, stated through video message that education was a “strong tool” for preventing and combating extremism, including the violence it breeds.

He noted that education may aid people in cultivating the critical thinking abilities required to demonstrate skepticism and guard against being influenced by extreme discourse and beliefs, emphasizing that it can do so particularly in unstable regions.

The initiative, according to Bourita, is an illustration of Morocco and the EU’s “excellent partnership and mutual commitment” to advancing peace and development.

The program, which will last for two years until 2025, focuses on creating training programs for educators to give them the knowledge and tools they need to suppress violent and extremist rhetoric.

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Irina Tsukerman, an American expert in international relations, claimed that Morocco is leading the way in the battle against terrorism and violent extremism because of its proactive and multifaceted strategy.

After the recent detentions by Moroccan security forces of extremists connected to Daesh, the analyst told MAP that “Morocco has always been in the vanguard against the growth of extremism in all its manifestations throughout North Africa” and beyond.

She mentioned how the Moroccan anti-terrorism policy dismantles pernicious and wicked concepts that incite violence and hatred.

According to Tsukerman, this strategy is not only founded on a competent and efficient security and intelligence approach but also encompasses the sectors of religion and education. He also said that Morocco’s policy is built on fostering ideals of peace, coexistence, and acceptance of the other.

The U.S. expert said that violent extremism and terrorist acts are “few and are swiftly foiled” as a result of this “effective” policy, noting that the Moroccan model of combatting terrorism and violent extremism is well-recognized by the world community.

She emphasized that extremists are condemned to failure because all they have to offer is violence and hollow promises, whereas Morocco, a country that leads in many fields that promote wealth and advancement, is unavoidably committed to a trajectory of economic development and cultural impact.

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Mombasa (Kenya) – Morocco’s strategy in the field of the fight against terrorism and violent extremism was presented Tuesday in Mombasa, Kenya, within the framework of the 16th annual conference and meeting of Africa Prosecutors Association (January 29 – February 02).

Salah Tizari, the Attorney General of the King at the Casablanca Court of Appeal, stated during a speech at the conference that Morocco is being represented by a delegation led by Jamila Sedqi, Advisor to the Presidency of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, Advocate General at the Court of Cassation, and Magistrate at the Administrative Tribunal of the African Union.

The Kingdom has implemented a number of social, cultural, and development measures in an effort to combat poverty, marginalization, and social exclusion because it is aware of the impact that social imbalance has on the culture of extremist thought, according to Tizari.

Increasing the number of local councils of ulema, establishing a council of ulema for Moroccans who live abroad, and training murshidates are just a few examples of how the religious field reform is an important strategy in the fight against violent extremism.

In this sense, Tizari highlighted the efforts of information, communication, and awareness of citizens on the dangers of violent extremism. Tizari also focused on the establishment of an alternative value system to that conveyed by the carriers of violent extremist thought.

Prevention remains the best response to terrorism, violent extremism and other threats to peace and security. pic.twitter.com/PtCyqM8mT5
African Prosecutors Association #16thAPAConference@ODPP_KE @CTP_Kenya @EUInKenya @AGA_Africa

— Her Excellency (@AfricanLady_) January 31, 2023

A criminal policy that is complementary to the security policy has been established in Morocco through the strengthening of the legal framework to punish the various forms of terrorism and its financing, as well as the establishment of an effective security and judicial cooperation to address threats to national security. He also emphasized the crucial role of proactive security governance, which has produced positive results and consists of dismantling a group of terrorist cells before they act.

Read Also: Mr. Bourita reaffirms Morocco’s support for the United Nations’ efforts to resolve the Libyan crisis.

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Local media sources reported that, since 2002, Morocco has succeeded in dismantling a total of 2009 terrorist cells, following the arrest of more than 3,535 people and the thwarting of more than 500 subversive projects.

Mohamed Nifaoui, Divisional Commissioner of the “Anti-Extremism and Countering Terrorism Unit” at the Central Office for Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), stated that “Morocco has been directly involved since 2003 in confronting terrorist crimes and their repercussions by relying on a proactive policy supported by parallel legal legislation that resulted in dismantling several terrorist cells and thwarting a number of subversive operations.”

In a speech during the first international conference on “Countering Violent Extremism: New Answers to New Challenges” in Rabat, the Commissioner touched on the measures taken by Morocco in this regard, including the development and review of mechanisms for managing religious affairs, and preventing their exploitation by groups and individuals, the implementation of the Supreme Scientific Council’s role under the auspices of King Mohammed VI, unifying the fatwa that has become exclusive to the competence of the scientific councils, in addition to establishing Mohammed VI Institute for training Imams, Mourchidines, and Mourchidates, and Mohammed VI Foundation of African Oulema, as well as strengthening criminal laws in a way that enables the Kingdom to fight terrorism in a straightforward manner.

In a related context, Nifaoui also pointed out that a number of terrorist organizations are taking advantage of the escalation of crises and the fragile security situation in the Sahel and Sahara region to implement their criminal plans, noting that among terrorist organizations that have been involved in the implementation of ISIS’ subversive projects in the region there is an organization known as the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), led by Adnane Abou Walid al-Sahraoui, born in Laayoune, and member of the separatist “Polisario Front”.

In this regard, BCIJ’s representative called for a regional security approach that works to unify efforts to fight these terrorist organizations, especially in light of the random proliferation of weapons in this region and in other vast areas that are not subject to control, and the access of these organizations to large quantities of weapons and ammunition as a result of their collaborations with organized crime activists.

On a finale note, Nifaoui invited countries of the region to assume their security and preventive roles by strengthening border security measures and exchanging available information on fighters and returnees, as well as monitoring them and delivering them to their countries of origin.

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In the framework of strengthening cooperation networks and partnership between Morocco and a number of brotherly countries and diversifying their fields, the Ministerial Council approved today of six international conventions five of which are bilateral and one multilateral.

The partnerships aim at improving collaboration within the framework of marine fishery with Russia, teaching Arabic in France, cooperation in the area of Justice, Civil and Commerce with Ukraine.

In addition to a partnership with UN organization concerning the establishment of a Program Office for Counterterrorism and Training in Africa part of UN Office of Counterterrorism (UNOCT) in Rabat.

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The General Directorate for National Territorial Surveillance (DGST) received letters of congratulations and gratitude from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), in which they commend the distinguished level of cooperation and advanced partnership that brings them together with the General Directorate for National Territorial Surveillance in the field of countering terrorism and violent extremism, to ensure the safety and security of citizens of both countries.

A communiqué of the DGST stated that the official in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in New York expressed his deep gratitude and thanks for the cooperation and important support provided by the DGST, especially the accurate intelligence that was provided in a timely manner, and which enabled them to contribute to neutralizing the terrorist threat, and accelerate the research undertaken by the FBI in the case of the American soldier who was associated with ISIS and was preparing to carry out a terrorist operation with the purpose of killing American soldiers in the Middle East.

The FBI letter also included praise to the strong cooperation and partnership between the General Directorate for National Territorial Surveillance and the FBI, reaffirming that this partnership will guarantee security and safety for the two countries, as well as their citizens.

On the other hand, the communiqué added that the CIA in Washington expressed its appreciation and gratitude to the DGST for its high professionalism within the joint security efforts, including endeavors in the field of countering terrorism and extremist groups.

This praise is also an indicator of the firm commitment of the DGST to strengthen international cooperation mechanisms in order to eliminate terrorist threats which prejudice the interests of the Kingdom and the interests of its partners at both regional and international levels.

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Thanks to bilateral cooperation between Morocco and USA in areas of counterterrorism and fighting organized crime, Moroccan intelligence agency DGST has succeeded in providing critical information that led to the arrest of a US soldier accused of plotting terrorist attacks targeting the 9/11 memorial in Manhattan as well as leaking sensitive information about US military to unknown ISIS members.

US Army private Cole Bridges went under different nicknames exchanging private information online with who he thought was an ISIS contact who turned out to be an undercover agent of FBI.

Moroccan Intelligence affirmed that the case dates back to September 2020 when they informed the US government about the intricacies of Bridges online activities.

On his part, Secretary Pompeo express his “pleasure meeting Director General Abdellatif Hammouchi today to reaffirm the importance of our counterterrorism and law enforcement cooperation” he further added that “we value our partnership with Morocco in the fight against terrorism and working together to advance peace and security.”

The court located evidence of documents and manuals Bridges leaked to what he thought was an ISIS contact. The documents and manuals provide step-by-step instructions on how to kill American forces through giving inside information about US Forces plots and strategies.

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