Morocco celebrates today, Tuesday, the 68th anniversary of the establishment of the Royal Armed Forces, an occasion to recall the significant achievements and immense sacrifices made by this venerable institution, which safeguards the supreme interests of the nation under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, the Supreme Commander and Chief of Staff of the Royal Armed Forces.
This anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on the wise vision of King Mohammed V, who, as soon as independence dawned, entrusted his then-heir, Hassan II, with forming the initial core of the Royal Armed Forces. It also highlights the commitment of the late King Hassan II and King Mohammed VI to pay special attention to this institution, ensuring its modernization and equipping its units with all necessary means, so that it has become, today, a stronghold for protecting the homeland and defending its sanctities and achievements.
The anniversary is also a moment to honor the men and women of the Royal Armed Forces who are dedicated to carrying out the noble missions for which this institution was established on May 14, 1956, whether it is defending the homeland or contributing to building modern Morocco. Today, the Royal Armed Forces are a source of pride for all Moroccans, a fundamental link for national unity, and a commendable ambassador for the kingdom's authentic values anywhere its elements are called to serve, which, due to their high-level theoretical and practical training, are qualified to carry out their multiple missions in the best possible way and under optimal conditions.
Military service represents an opportunity for young people looking to develop their knowledge and professional skills and to enter the job market equipped with the appropriate skills and competencies for the required specialties. The Royal Armed Forces have provided all necessary infrastructure, teaching frameworks, and pedagogical resources to ensure the success of this initiative launched by King Mohammed VI.
This service is increasingly seen as attractive among youth, given the educational pathways it offers beneficiaries, aimed at enhancing their knowledge and professional abilities, as well as undergoing physical and military training, along with benefiting from salaries, health coverage, and insurance.
The year 2023 has been marked by the significant presence of the Royal Armed Forces in various missions and tasks, notably in aiding victims of the Al-Haouz earthquake, thanks to its modern trained personnel with extensive experience in the field, and its high-caliber logistical equipment. The Royal Armed Forces also played a crucial role in assisting populations affected by adverse weather conditions, alongside humanitarian missions and peacekeeping operations. Indeed, the Royal Armed Forces, from the early hours following the earthquake, deployed specialized elements for rescue operations and delivering assistance to affected areas.
With the same high spirit of discipline and dedication that characterizes the efforts of the Royal Armed Forces within the country, this national institution continues its noble missions in peacekeeping operations around the world, thereby committing itself to the values of peace, security, and solidarity globally.
Morocco's effective involvement has been evident since 1960 in promoting the principles of peace and security worldwide, as well as in sharing the expertise gained by the Moroccan blue helmets to uphold the universal values of solidarity, dignity, and humanitarian work through deploying units of the Royal Armed Forces under the United Nations flag across various regions of the world.
For several years, Morocco has chaired the Coordinating Group of the Non-Aligned Movement regarding UN peacekeeping in New York. It has also initiated the creation of a group of like-minded countries on combating hate speech and disinformation against blue helmets. Furthermore, Morocco ranks among the top ten countries in the world that contribute to UN peacekeeping operations. In this context, Morocco emphasized during the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Conference held on December 5-6 in Accra that it intends to continue its diligent work to renew and adapt the political frameworks of UN peacekeeping operations, in accordance with the noble vision of King Mohammed VI.
Regarding commitments in the eight priority areas of action, the Kingdom announced it will provide training at the Centre of Excellence for Peacekeeping Operations in Ben Slimane, focusing on civilian protection, combating misinformation, digitalization, telemedicine, mental health, and environmental protection.
In terms of women's participation in peacekeeping operations, Morocco will enhance the representation of women in its units and organize training for military advisors on gender approaches. In the health sector, Morocco will make available to the UN a capacity at a level-four hospital and provide training in telemedicine, mental health, and first aid.
Thus, the Moroccan people proudly commemorate the anniversary of the establishment of this esteemed institution, which is a symbol of national sovereignty, a shield for the nation, and a source of pride, given the sacrifices it makes and the commendable work it performs for the service of the homeland, its citizens, and humanity at large.
