Speaking at the Marrakech Platform, Morocco’s foreign minister reaffirmed his nation’s commitment to stability and ‘afro-optimism’ in the face of the continent’s challenges.
On Tuesday in El Jadida, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita laid out King Mohammed VI’s vision for tackling security threats in Africa and supporting the continent’s momentum toward development and prosperity.
Addressing the opening session of the 5th High-Level Meeting of African security and counterterrorism agency heads — convened under the Marrakech Platform and co-chaired by Morocco and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism — the minister assessed the current regional security context.
Bourita highlighted several worrying trends, including:
- The expansion and regionalisation of terrorism across the continent.
- The rise in armed conflicts.
- The close links between terrorist groups, separatist movements and transnational crime.
- Emerging challenges from technological shifts and artificial intelligence.
In this context, the minister stressed that the Royal Vision provides a comprehensive framework for understanding African realities, recalling that the King’s policy toward the region is fundamentally one of belonging. He stated that for Morocco, Africa is neither a neighbouring continent nor a mere diplomatic option, but a reality to which the country belongs geographically, identity-wise, politically, institutionally and historically.
Bourita further emphasised that Morocco’s action is built on the conviction that the continent’s development, stability and security are deeply interlinked with its own. He affirmed that Morocco’s commitment to counterterrorism is not optional but stems from a historical responsibility toward the security of its environment.
The minister also underscored the principle of afro-optimism that guides the country’s approach. Despite security challenges, Morocco sees Africa as the continent of the future, convinced it possesses the resources, means and ingenuity to overcome its own difficulties.
About the Marrakech Platform
Launched in 2022, this initiative gathers heads of African security agencies along with international partners to strengthen cooperation against common threats.
The latest edition builds on previous meetings held in Marrakech (2022), Tangier (2023), Fez (2024) and Agadir (2025), cementing the forum as a key annual event for sharing experience and building capacity across the continent.
