The closing of these training courses was marked by a ceremony for awarding certificates to nearly 350 Moroccan and foreign officers and non-commissioned officers from partner countries.

Speaking on this occasion, Major General Mohammed Benlouali, Chief of Staff of the South Zone, stressed that these training courses concerned, in addition to the different areas and aspects related to the exercise, "the analysis intelligence", "planning", "joint targeting", "logistics support planning", "cyber security", "special operations planning" and "crisis communication techniques".

For his part, Brigadier General William Wilkerson of the US Army affirmed that "African Lion continues to be the premier multinational exercise in Africa and helps us all strengthen mutual understanding through cooperation and sharing of ideas ".

On the High Instructions of His Majesty the King, Supreme Commander and Chief of General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), the “African Lion 2024” exercise will be jointly conducted, for the twentieth time, by the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) and their American counterparts, on May 20-31 in Benguerir, Agadir, Tan-Tan, Akka and Tifnit.

Around 7,000 armed forces personnel from some twenty countries, in addition to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), will be taking part in these large-scale military maneuvers in Morocco, alongside the Royal Armed Forces and the US Armed Forces.

The “African Lion 2024” exercise comprises a number of activities, including combined day and night tactical, land, sea and air exercises, a special forces exercise, airborne operations, and an operational planning exercise for Task Force staff.

This twentieth edition also includes training in the fight against weapons of mass destruction and a range of medical, surgical and social services provided for the population of the Akka region by a military field hospital.

Contributing to the reinforcement of operational, technical and procedural interoperability between the participating armies, the “African Lion 2024” exercise, the largest exercise conducted in Africa, remains an essential meeting place for military executives to exchange procedures and experiences, particularly in terms of combined joint training and education.

This twentieth edition attests to the enduring nature of cooperation between FAR and the US Armed Forces, reflecting the strong long-standing ties between the two countries.