Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire strengthen military cooperation through joint committee

Friday 18 September 2026 - 07:47

By: Azzat Manal

Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire strengthen military cooperation through joint committee

Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire have taken a new step toward strengthening their defence partnership with the activation of a joint military committee designed to provide a regular framework for coordinating, monitoring and evaluating bilateral military cooperation.

The committee held its first meeting in Abidjan on September 16 and 17, bringing together representatives of the armed forces of both countries to review existing cooperation and discuss ways of expanding it. The talks focused on several areas, including military training, logistics and intelligence, while also addressing plans for joint activities scheduled for 2027.

The creation of the committee follows a military cooperation agreement signed by Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire in May 2025. The agreement established a mechanism for regular meetings, alternating between the two countries, with the aim of ensuring closer follow-up of bilateral defence initiatives and developing future joint programmes.

The new structure builds on more than two decades of military cooperation between Rabat and Abidjan. Over the years, the partnership has included the training of military personnel, exchanges of expertise, naval activities and cooperation in equipment and other defence-related fields.

Training remains an important component of the relationship, with Moroccan and Ivorian military institutions continuing to facilitate exchanges of personnel and trainees. Such programmes provide opportunities for both sides to share professional experience and strengthen communication between their armed forces.

The inclusion of logistics and intelligence among the subjects discussed by the joint committee also reflects the broader scope of the bilateral defence relationship. The two countries are seeking to move beyond occasional activities toward more structured planning and regular coordination.

Côte d’Ivoire occupies an important position in West Africa, both economically and strategically. Its location along the Gulf of Guinea gives maritime security particular significance, while regional challenges such as transnational crime and other cross-border threats have increased the importance of security cooperation among countries in the region.

For Morocco, closer military ties with Côte d’Ivoire form part of its broader engagement with West African countries. Rabat has developed a wide network of economic, political, security and defence partnerships across the region, with military cooperation representing one element of these wider bilateral relations.

The activation of the joint military committee therefore provides Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire with a more structured mechanism for managing their defence partnership. The preparation of a joint programme for 2027 is expected to give the cooperation a clearer annual framework while allowing both sides to identify priorities and coordinate future activities.