Morocco strengthens military ties with UN amid peacekeeping challenges

Friday 23 May 2025 - 16:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco strengthens military ties with UN amid peacekeeping challenges

Royal Armed Forces Inspector General Mohammed Berrid welcomed UN Mission Commander Division General Fakhrul Ahsan at the Southern Zone headquarters in Agadir. This meeting, attended by senior military officials from both organizations, marks a significant step in the ongoing collaboration between Morocco's military and the United Nations mission operating in the southern provinces.

The discussions centered on mission activities and the coordination mechanisms that have evolved between the two military bodies in recent months. Colonel Alexander Kask, Chief of Staff of the UN mission force, accompanied General Ahsan, highlighting the high-level nature of the talks. Both parties expressed satisfaction with the exceptional cooperation achieved in operational coordination, security, demining efforts, and logistical support.

This productive relationship has facilitated the efficient implementation of mission objectives, despite the persistent regional challenges complicating peacekeeping efforts.

Periodic meetings between the leadership of the Royal Armed Forces and UN commanders have proven instrumental in maintaining effective communication. These encounters allow for the exchange of operational concerns while reinforcing the collaborative frameworks established since the deployment of the UN mission in the territory.

Morocco’s military contributions to international peacekeeping are noteworthy, with a legacy spanning over 65 years. Currently, it ranks as the eighth-largest contributor to UN peacekeeping forces globally, deploying 1,718 personnel across four theaters of operations: the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and South Sudan. Moroccan peacekeepers are recognized for their discipline and effectiveness, operating under various mandates that range from civilian protection to post-conflict stabilization.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres acknowledged Morocco’s contributions to peacekeeping during the 2024 International Peacekeepers’ Day ceremony. He posthumously honored two Moroccan soldiers who lost their lives while serving in the Central African Republic under the UN flag.

King Mohammed VI, in a recent address commemorating the 69th anniversary of the Royal Armed Forces, underscored the need for military vigilance and professionalism amid unprecedented regional and international disruptions. He praised the dedication of FAR personnel who protect the nation’s borders and highlighted their role in safeguarding Morocco's territorial integrity.

During the 2025 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin, Morocco's delegation proposed field-based recommendations advocating for mission mandates aligned with on-the-ground realities. They also emphasized the importance of specialized pre-deployment training, exemplified by the establishment of a Peacekeeping Training Center of Excellence in Benslimane, which aims to serve as a regional hub for advanced operational preparation.

However, challenges persist, particularly due to the Polisario Front's systematic ceasefire violations that have disrupted MINURSO operations since November 2020. The separatist movement unilaterally abandoned its commitments under Military Agreement No. 1, signed with the United Nations in 1991 after years of conflict. This decision has destabilized the buffer zone and undermined decades of peacekeeping progress, provoking confrontations in the demilitarized area and inciting inflammatory rhetoric against international institutions.

Despite these provocations, Morocco maintains strict adherence to the military agreement. The Royal Armed Forces continue to support MINURSO operations while defending national territory against repeated incursions and armed harassment. The escalating recklessness of the separatist front has alarmed international observers, who now raise urgent warnings regarding the increasing risk of conflict in the Sahara.

The Polisario Front's blatant disregard for UN authority and its repeated breaches of international law pose a significant threat to regional peace and security. The militia is increasingly viewed as a potential terrorist group, further undermining the foundations of multilateral diplomacy and contributing to instability across North Africa.