فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Washington is preparing to host a mini U.S.–Africa summit from July 9 to 11, bringing together only five African leaders, including King Mohammed VI of Morocco. This event reflects the United States’ strategic shift toward building a trusted African bloc, moving away from traditional alliances and unstable regimes. Alongside Morocco, the summit will include the presidents of Kenya (William Ruto), Rwanda (Paul Kagame), Angola (João Lourenço), the Democratic Republic of Congo (Félix Tshisekedi), and Senegal (young President Macky Sall).
Morocco’s inclusion in this select group is due not only to its geographic position as an Atlantic African gateway but also to its political and diplomatic weight, especially following the official U.S. recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in 2020, linked to Morocco’s normalization of relations with Israel. This recognition has been maintained and practically reinforced under the Biden administration through Pentagon maps and joint military documents.
- Advanced Military Cooperation: Morocco stands out as a reliable security partner, hosting the large-scale African Lion military exercises and acquiring advanced weaponry including HIMARS rocket launchers, Harpoon missiles, drones, and ongoing discussions about F-35 fighter jets and retired U.S. naval vessels. These arms deals aim to establish a deterrent balance in the region, particularly vis-à-vis Spain.
- Western Sahara Issue: Washington considers Morocco’s autonomy plan under its sovereignty as the only realistic, credible solution. This issue will be prominently addressed at the summit amid wavering European pressures.
- Strategic Minerals: Morocco possesses significant reserves of phosphate and cobalt and is engaged in a quiet dispute with Spain over exploration rights in mineral-rich maritime zones off the southern provinces. Washington closely monitors this file due to its importance in global supply chains and countering Chinese influence.
- Energy and Green Hydrogen: Morocco is among the leading African countries qualified to export green hydrogen to Europe and the U.S., with ongoing talks to integrate Rabat into future supply networks.
- Trade Partnership: Morocco seeks to modernize its free trade agreement with the U.S. to include emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, defense industries, and clean energy, moving beyond traditional textile and agricultural exports.
This focused summit signals a new U.S. approach aimed at forging strategic partnerships with selected African countries, moving away from large, traditional gatherings. The goal is to strengthen economic and security cooperation in a vital region experiencing rapid political and security transformations.
Beyond its political role, Morocco is a key U.S. security partner in the region, hosting massive joint military exercises like “African Lion,” involving over 50 countries, underscoring the depth of U.S.–Moroccan military cooperation.
This summit comes at a time of fundamental shifts in U.S.–Africa relations, with Washington emphasizing investment and trade over traditional aid, opening new horizons for cooperation with Morocco as a pivotal actor in continental security and sustainable development.
from: fesnews
