The recent article published by El Watan highlights the growing military collaboration between Morocco, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Mali, suggesting a potential destabilization of the Sahel region. The piece, penned by journalist Chahrdine Briyah, reveals that the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces are actively training Malian officers and soldiers, with approximately 40 Moroccan military personnel stationed in Mali as trainers. Furthermore, it is reported that the Moroccan government is providing significant financial support for the acquisition of drones for the transitional government in Bamako.
Briyah notes that this military cooperation is no longer a secret. According to Maroc Hebdo, a Malian military delegation led by Brigadier General Moussa Yoro Kente made an official visit to Rabat from February 10 to 12, 2026. The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces are routinely training Malian forces in combat techniques, parachuting, and military medicine, primarily on Moroccan soil. Additionally, Morocco is overseeing training programs for future Malian special forces at the Ben Guerir Air Base, where hundreds have received training in parachuting and military tactics.
In an effort to combat religious extremism, Morocco has been training Malian imams at the Mohammed VI Institute since 2013. However, some critics argue that this initiative serves as a thinly veiled cover for deeper military objectives. The article further elaborates on the discussions between Moroccan and Malian military officials, which have primarily focused on enhancing cooperation in military training, equipment, and logistical support. Recent months have witnessed an increase in exchanges between the two armies; a Malian military delegation visited Morocco from May 27 to 29, 2025, to deepen collaboration in military medicine.
Moreover, it has become evident that a senior Moroccan officer (the military attaché stationed in Bamako) is overseeing field coordination for Mali and Benin. Current estimates suggest that 40 Moroccan military trainers are embedded in Mali, while substantial financial backing is being directed toward the purchase of drones for the transitional government. Reports from lopinon.ma indicate that Moroccan trainers are helping Malian forces enhance their parachuting capabilities to bolster the independence of the Malian military against security threats.
The military collaboration between Morocco and Mali has flourished in recent years, particularly regarding the training of Malian military personnel. At least 165 members of the Malian armed forces have undergone parachuting training at the Ben Guerir base. Upon their return, high-level delegations, such as those led by the Director of Malian Military Schools, routinely visit Morocco to strengthen educational programs and logistical support. This camaraderie is further underscored by Mali's accession, on December 23, 2023, to the "Atlantic-Africa" initiative launched by King Mohammed VI on November 6, 2023. This initiative aims to facilitate Sahel countries' access to the Atlantic Ocean, reflecting a shared desire between Rabat and Bamako to bolster their strategic partnership on both military and geopolitical fronts.
However, the situation remains shrouded in mystery and suspicion, particularly given that the son of Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar has reportedly organized an air bridge with multiple flights to Bamako and Gao using Ilyushin aircraft to transport weapons to Mali. These clandestine operations, orchestrated by the UAE, aim to transform Mali into another Sudan. The UAE's strategy, meticulously crafted over recent years, seeks to expand its influence in Africa by positioning itself as a key security (and economic) partner for many Sahel nations. In Bamako, Abu Dhabi is working to increase its clout through investments and humanitarian aid, striving for a strategic role in the region. This alliance, comprising Morocco, Mali, Libya (under Haftar), and the UAE, is poised to destabilize the area, as emphasized by El Watan.
As reported by entv.dz.
