Bourita and UN counterterrorism official discuss African security cooperation

Wednesday 10 June 2026 - 07:40

By: Dakir Madiha

Bourita and UN counterterrorism official discuss African security cooperation

Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita held talks with Alexander Zuev, Acting Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, on the sidelines of the fifth High-Level Meeting of Heads of African Counter-Terrorism and Security Agencies, known as the Marrakech Platform. The event opened on Tuesday in El Jadida and brought together senior security officials from across Africa and international partner countries.

The discussions took place as African nations continue to face evolving terrorist threats that have affected several regions of the continent. The meeting serves as a platform for strengthening coordination among intelligence, security, and counterterrorism institutions while promoting joint responses to emerging security challenges.

The two-day gathering has attracted broad participation from around the world. Around 40 African intelligence and security agencies are taking part, alongside nearly 90 observer delegations from the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Representatives from United Nations regional institutions are also participating in the discussions.

The latest edition reflects the growing importance of regional and international cooperation in addressing terrorism and transnational security threats. The initiative has expanded steadily since earlier editions held in Marrakech in 2022, Tangier in 2023, Fez in 2024, and Agadir in 2025.

As security risks continue to shift across the African continent, the Marrakech Platform has established itself as a key forum for sharing expertise, identifying operational priorities, and supporting capacity-building efforts among African counterterrorism agencies. The increasing participation of international partners underlines the strategic role the platform now plays in shaping collective security responses.