Speaking on this occasion,teh director of global issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,African Cooperation and Moroccans living abroad,Ismaël Chekkori,reviewed the main lessons learned from the Kingdom’s experience in this area. of the fight against terrorism and the good practices that Morocco has managed to develop and share over the years.
“It is essential to anticipate the rapid evolution of the threat using tools such as its precise assessment, in particular of cross-border movements, the detection of the frist signals of radicalization, the dynamics of local terrorism and its links with international terrorist groups and anticipation of new trends in terrorism,” explained Mr. Chekkori.
On the other hand, Mr. Chekkori indicated that under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco has put in place a holistic and multidimensional response to the terrorist threat which embodies an approach of the government and the entire Company.
“This approach aims to strengthen institutional resilience in the security, socio-economic and religious areas,” he highlighted.
In this regard, “effective institutional frameworks have been put in place by promulgating strong anti-terrorism laws and creating specialized bodies in the implementation of national counter-terrorism measures”, he said.
This, explained Mr. Chekkori, involves focusing on four key elements to strengthen institutional capacities, namely the establishment of solid plans, procedures and resources to deal with different types of threats, sharing intelligence and facts between relevant agencies and organizations in order to identify potential threats and take appropriate action, coordination and cooperation which involves effective communication, collaboration and joint operations in order to improve overall response capacity and approaches adaptive and flexible to adjust strategies and responses to stay ahead of emerging risks and challenges.
However, Chekkori noted that “security and judicial measures are vital but insufficient on their own.” It is indeed absolutely necessary to develop comprehensive strategies capable of addressing all dimensions of terrorism. More importantly, the vulnerabilities,” he said.
“Aware of this critical dimension, Morocco has taken several notable measures such as the creation of the Mohammed VI Institute for the Training of Imams Morchidines and Morchidates, which plays an essential role,” he highlighted, recalling the important role also assumed by the national Initiative for Human Growth (INDH), launched by HM King Mohammed VI, in the fight against socio-economic factors likely to lead to radicalization and violent extremism.
Mr. Chekkori also cited the Moussalaha program which is another cornerstone of Morocco’s overall approach to the fight against terrorism,specifying that it is an “initiative specifically designed to rehabilitate and reintegrate former terrorist prisoners in society.
“The success of the Moussalaha program highlights the importance of preventing the roots of extremism and addressing its consequences through compassion and lasting community support,” he argued, noting that it is indeed in this context that “our call for revitalized regional cooperation, based on a solid institutional framework, becomes not only relevant but imperative”.
With this in mind,“the promotion of closer institutional cooperation woudl effectively contribute to inclusive and collaborative responses that effectively respond to the specific needs of African countries,in accordance with the principle of ownership,and adapted to the specific needs of African States,” he said. he detailed.
He noted that “Morocco has always been committed to strengthening regional institutional cooperation against terrorism, drawing inspiration from the lessons and successes of its national strategy” in this area, he said.
The official highlighted Morocco’s commitment in this area, recalling that “the Moroccan security services exchanged crucial information which allowed their counterparts in other countries to prevent deadly terrorist attacks and plots.”
At the regional level, Morocco launched in 2022, in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), the “Marrakech Platform for heads of African security and counter-terrorism agencies”, he said.
Regarding the establishment of a coordinated approach and capacity building, “Morocco has succeeded in setting up bilateral capacity building programs,” he continued, adding that the Kingdom welcomed the UNOCT Program Office for Counter-Terrorism Training in Africa, which constitutes a key mechanism to effectively promote counter-terrorism capacity and institution building in Africa.
“morocco has adopted a global approach, in particular by tackling the ideological dimension of radicalization and contributing to the reestablishment of the true tradition of Islam,” he underlined, citing, in this regard, “ the creation of the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ulema, which aims to unify and guide Muslim scholars in promoting a peaceful interpretation of Islam across Africa,” he said.
he affirmed that “Morocco continues to prioritize Africa’s concerns in fulfilling various international responsibilities.”
“In its current capacity as co-chair of the Africa Focus Group of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, and in its previous capacity as co-chair of the Global counterterrorism Forum, the Kingdom has always put forward the priorities and the pressing challenges of African countries in terms of preventing and combating terrorism and violent extremism,” he noted.
Mr. chekkori reaffirmed Morocco’s deep conviction that the prevention and fight against the scourge of terrorism must be based on a global and coherent approach that advocates collective obligation, inclusiveness, indivisible security, solidarity and ownership., as key elements.
“In this regard, the Kingdom is committed to continuing dialogue and exchanges, in a spirit of trust, openness and constructive engagement, to jointly confront this threat,” he said.
What are the key strategies Morocco employs to combat terrorism effectively?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Expert Ismaël Chekkori
Time.news Editor: Good morning, Mr. Chekkori.It’s a pleasure to have you here today.Your insights into Morocco’s approach to counter-terrorism are invaluable.To start, could you summarize what you believe are the key lessons Morocco has learned in its fight against terrorism?
Ismaël Chekkori: Good morning, and thank you for having me.At the heart of our experiance lies the understanding that terrorism is a complex and evolving threat. One of our main lessons is the importance of anticipation—using tools to assess risks, especially regarding cross-border movements, and identifying early signs of radicalization. The dynamics of local threats and thier connections to international terrorist networks are crucial in shaping our response.
Time.news Editor: That sounds quite comprehensive. You mentioned the multidimensional approach lead by His Majesty King Mohammed VI. How does this holistic strategy enhance Morocco’s resilience against terrorism?
Ismaël Chekkori: Precisely, our approach is holistic, engaging the government and society at large. We focus on institutional resilience across security, socio-economic, and religious dimensions. Key components include enacting strong anti-terrorism laws, establishing specialized bodies for national counter-terrorism measures, and fostering collaboration among various agencies. This ensures that we can effectively identify and respond to potential threats.
Time.news Editor: That’s quite an extensive framework. Could you elaborate on the four key elements you’ve identified for strengthening institutional capacities?
Ismaël Chekkori: Certainly. First, we establish robust plans, procedures, and resources adaptable to different types of threats. Second, information-sharing among relevant agencies is crucial for identifying potential risks accurately. Third,coordination and cooperation are vital for effective communication and joint operations to enhance our overall response. we emphasize the importance of adaptable strategies—being flexible allows us to stay ahead of emerging risks and challenges.
Time.news Editor: It truly seems like a very thorough plan. However, you also indicated that security measures alone are insufficient. Can you shed light on the comprehensive strategies Morocco has developed to address the root causes of terrorism?
Ismaël Chekkori: Absolutely. While security and judicial measures are basic, they must be part of a broader strategy that addresses vulnerabilities.Morocco acknowledges the socio-economic factors fueling radicalization. To this end, initiatives such as the Mohammed VI Institute for the Training of Imams Morchidines and Morchidates have been established. This institute plays a pivotal role in promoting moderate religious teachings. Additionally,the National Initiative for Human Advancement (INDH) tackles socio-economic disparities,wich are often linked to the risks of violent extremism.
Time.news Editor: It seems that Morocco is taking a proactive stance in countering terrorism. How do you envision the future of counter-terrorism efforts, particularly in terms of international cooperation?
Ismaël Chekkori: International cooperation is essential as terrorism knows no borders. We believe that sharing knowledge, intelligence, and best practices will strengthen our collective efforts. Furthermore,adapting to new trends—such as cyber-terrorism and the use of social media by extremist groups—will require cooperation on a global scale. Together, we can forge a united front against the multifaceted threat of terrorism.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Mr. Chekkori, for your valuable insights. It’s clear that Morocco’s approach is both nuanced and proactive, reflecting a deep understanding of the complexities involved in the fight against terrorism. We appreciate your time today.
Ismaël Chekkori: Thank you for having me. It was a pleasure to share Morocco’s experiences and strategies.