Morocco – Under the forward-thinking leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco has engineered a profound transformation of its security policy, elevating it from a traditional crime-fighting role to a holistic model of national stability and citizen partnership. This innovative approach, which seamlessly blends operational excellence with a deep commitment to human dignity, is now receiving resounding international validation.
A Paradigm Shift: From Enforcement to Engaged Partnership
The assessment of Morocco’s security evolution was powerfully articulated in Marrakech by Mr. Mohammed Ben Ali Koman, Secretary-General of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers. Speaking on the sidelines of the 93rd Interpol General Assembly, Mr. Koman highlighted that the Kingdom’s security apparatus is a cornerstone of the nation’s rapid development, tirelessly working to sustain the stability essential for progress.
He credited this success to the “continuous modernization efforts” driven by the Royal strategic vision for a stronger, more prosperous Morocco. At the heart of this vision lies a fundamental principle: the citizen as the central focus of police action. This is not merely a policy but a core philosophy, where the protection of human rights and respect for personal dignity are non-negotiable pillars of all security operations.
Building Bridges of Trust: The Citizen at the Core
Mr. Koman pointed to the wildly successful National Police Open Days as a tangible manifestation of this philosophy. These events have evolved into a crucial platform for dialogue, demystifying police work and fortifying public trust. This initiative, he noted, is no longer just a Moroccan success story but “a distinctive model that many Arab and foreign countries could effectively emulate.”
Excellence Recognized on the World Stage
Morocco’s security prowess is not just a domestic achievement but a globally acknowledged fact. The Secretary-General underscored this with a list of prestigious accolades that speak volumes:
- The Prince Naif Medal for Arab Security, First Class awarded to Mr. Abdellatif Hammouchi, Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance.
- The Grand Cross of Merit bestowed by Spain’s esteemed Civil Guard.
- Morocco’s election as Interpol Vice-President for the African continent.
- The honor of hosting Interpol’s 93rd General Assembly, an event marked by unprecedented participation that showcased Morocco’s advanced capabilities to the world.
A Regional Pillar and a Global Partner
Morocco’s role extends far beyond its borders. Mr. Koman emphasized the Kingdom’s longstanding position as a cornerstone of Arab security cooperation. It hosts both the Arab Organization for Social Defense Against Crime and the newly established Arab Office for Civil Protection and Environmental Affairs. This reflects the Royal vision of an inclusive security model—one that safeguards citizens, fuels sustainable development, and proactively addresses global challenges like environmental threats.
This vision was further reinforced during a high-level meeting between Mr. Abdelatif Hammouchi and Mr. Faisal Shahkar, head of the United Nations Police and UN Under-Secretary-General for Rule of Law.
During their discussion, Mr. Shahkar conveyed the UN Secretary-General’s direct interest in strengthening cooperation with Morocco’s national police. He specifically praised the exceptional quality of Moroccan police personnel, highlighting their field experience, high-level training, and linguistic skills as invaluable assets for UN peacekeeping missions worldwide.
This meeting is part of a broader diplomatic effort by Mr. Hammouchi at the Interpol Assembly, aimed at forging stronger international partnerships to combat cross-border crime and enhance global security—a mission where Morocco is increasingly seen not just as a participant, but as a leader and a model to follow.
Through this multi-faceted approach, the visionary leadership of King Mohammed VI has successfully positioned Morocco not merely as a nation with effective security forces, but as a beacon of modern, humane, and collaborative security governance for the 21st century.
BY: The Times Union
