Follow-up by the African Affairs Unit – Progress Center for Policies
From May 12 to 23, Morocco is hosting the 21st edition of the African Lion military exercises, organized in cooperation with the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). Around 10,000 troops from approximately 40 countries are expected to participate across six Moroccan locations.
Morocco is taking part in the largest joint multinational exercise led by AFRICOM, involving its allies and incorporating advanced warfare technologies. The drills will feature Apache helicopters, recently acquired by Morocco from the U.S. as part of a deal for 24 units. Six are already operational, and 24 Moroccan military personnel have been trained under a program supervised by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, following standards equivalent to those of the U.S. Army.
The Apache helicopter, equipped with advanced reconnaissance, targeting, fire support, and drone coordination capabilities, represents a technological leap for the Moroccan Air Force. It also underscores U.S. support for Morocco’s military capabilities, given its status as a major non-NATO ally.
Israel is expected to participate in this year’s joint exercise, according to several media sources. Previously, it participated without official announcement in the 2023 and 2024 editions, likely influenced by the context of the war in Gaza.
Algeria has withdrawn from participation, despite being listed as an observer country along with Belgium, India, Qatar, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville), and Equatorial Guinea, as announced by AFRICOM.
In February, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, in an interview with French media, hinted at a possible shift in Algeria’s position toward Israel, though not outright normalization. According to U.S. sources, even symbolic participation by Algeria in the joint exercise could have been seen as a form of covert normalization.
In January 2025, General Michael Langley made his third official visit to Algiers, where he signed a military memorandum of understanding as part of Algeria’s broader efforts to open up.
Key Takeaways:
This year’s drills are described as some of the largest and most complex military exercises due to the involvement of advanced U.S. weaponry and technology, and the complicated political and military conditions in Africa. The Sahel region remains unstable amid coups and jihadist threats, while Western influence in Africa declines in favor of Russia and China. Russian presence is increasing in eastern Libya, which is witnessing political escalation.
Israel’s participation, following its official normalization with Morocco, will further aggravate Algeria’s security concerns and fuel perceptions of a conspiracy against its interests, possibly explaining its sudden withdrawal, despite improved military relations with the U.S. Meanwhile, Algeria’s ties with its historic ally Russia are strained, particularly over differences in the Sahel region, notably Mali.
AFRICOM aims through these exercises to deepen its presence in the African Sahel, form new partnerships following the withdrawal of French bases from West and Central Africa, and counter Russia’s positioning in eastern Libya, seen as an alternative to its base in Tartus, Syria.
The evolving U.S.-Moroccan military coordination casts a shadow over the ongoing crisis between Algeria and Morocco regarding Western Sahara, pushing both nations into an arms race and diplomatic competition to support their political and military objectives. This could undermine U.S. mediation efforts with the three key parties involved—Morocco, the Polisario Front, and Algeria—and risks reigniting border conflict between the two countries.
Algeria’s non-participation sends a message to AFRICOM and Washington about its discontent with U.S. arms deals with Morocco and the attempt to cement Israel’s presence in the region. It also carries a dual message to Moscow, suggesting Algeria is open to new approaches to the Sahel and Sahara regions.
Holding the military exercises in the Mahbes region, near the Algerian-Moroccan border buffer zone, is seen as Rabat’s attempt to affirm its administrative and military sovereignty over all of its territory, including disputed areas with Algeria.
The drills highlight Morocco’s geopolitical and strategic importance, and the regional role it can play in countering terrorist organizations, being a stable country with significant military capabilities.
Observers note that Algeria is experiencing political confusion and inconsistency in its foreign policy, amid tensions with neighboring countries, escalating conflict with France, and cooling ties with Russia, despite having signed military agreements with the U.S.
Given the longstanding internal mobilization over the Western Sahara issue, analysts don’t expect a swift shift in Algeria’s foreign policy. However, it’s becoming harder to maintain internal consensus on the Western Sahara and Moroccan conflict, especially among younger generations facing high unemployment and slow, uneven development—in a country that produces about one million barrels of oil per day and nearly 100 billion cubic meters of liquefied gas, ranking eighth globally in gas production, ahead of Nigeria and Egypt.
