On May 20, 2026, Morocco and France issued a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to United Nations peacekeeping operations in Africa, with a particular focus on the Sahel region and the Western Sahara. The statement, released after a meeting in Rabat, highlighted the two countries' shared interest in promoting stability and security on the continent.
According to the joint communiqué, both nations pledged to increase cooperation in training African peacekeepers and in providing logistical support for UN missions. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that France and Morocco will jointly fund a new peacekeeping training center in Morocco, set to open in 2027.
The statement also addressed the situation in the Sahel, where both countries have been active in counterterrorism efforts. Morocco has contributed troops to the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), while France has led Operation Barkhane. The new agreement aims to coordinate their efforts more closely.
Regarding the Western Sahara, the statement reiterated support for the UN-led political process and the role of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General. Both countries called for a lasting and mutually acceptable political solution based on Security Council resolutions.
This partnership builds on a long history of Franco-Moroccan cooperation in peacekeeping, with Morocco being one of the largest contributors of troops to UN missions globally.
