Rabat – US Senator Dave McCormick has stressed the importance of the longstanding bilateral ties between Morocco and the US, which celebrate 250 years of partnership and alliance.
On X, the senator recalled that Morocco was the first country to recognize the fledgling United States. Sultan Muhammad III understood, even then, the strategic value of our relationship.”
McCormick emphasized that he is looking forward to the future of “our expanding and deepening partnership.”
His remarks came in the context of the recent visit of a Moroccan delegation to the US, where they met officials, including Under Secretary of War Elbridge Colby.
On April 16, Colby announced that he met with senior officials, including Morocco’s Minister Delegate of Defense, Abdellatif Loudyi, and General Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of Morocco’s Armed Forces.
In the meeting, Morocco and the US signed a new defense coopration roadmap.
“This Roadmap will guide our historic defense relationship for the next decade, building on a partnership that began 250 years ago when Morocco was the first nation to recognize the United States,” Colby added.
The US and Morocco continue to strengthen bilateral ties at all levels, including security, trade, and defense.
On April 17, a senior US administration official announced that Morocco is part of the International Police Cooperation (IPCC). The hub seeks to facilitate international police collaboration during major international events, including the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
“Established by the U.S. government, the IPCC is where law enforcement representatives from each of the qualified countries, along with law enforcement representatives from all the individual game-hosting cities, will meet and share information for the duration of the tournament,” the US administration source said.
The same source emphasized the importance of Morocco’s participation in the IPCC, recalling the 250-year relationship with Rabat.
“We look forward to their participation in the IPCC to strengthen global police cooperation during the FIFA World Cup.”
Beyond security partnership, the US is also among the growing countries that support Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the only feasible pathway able to put an end to the Western Sahara dispute.
Several senators are now backing congressional bills, urging the US administration to declare Polisario as a terrorist organization.
In March, David McCormick signed his name alongside US lawmakers backing the new bill to designate the Polisario as a terrorist group.
Senators Tom Cotton and Ted Cruz first introduced “The Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act of 2026” on March 11.
The bill urges the US administration to impose sanctions on Polisario for its cooperation with “an Iranian-affiliated terrorist organization.”
The bill is the second of its kind. Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina also introduced a similar proposal last June, which was referred to the Committees on Foreign Affairs and the Judiciary.
