Politics

Morocco’s national security expands modernization drive at 70th anniversary

Saturday 16 May 2026 - 08:16

By: Dakir Madiha

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Morocco’s General Directorate of National Security, known as the DGSN, marked its 70th anniversary on May 16 as the institution continued a broad modernization strategy focused on crime reduction, digital transformation, police training, and international security cooperation. Created in 1956 after Morocco’s independence, the agency entered its eighth decade while reporting a decline in violent crime and an expansion of its regional and international role.

The DGSN recorded around 779,008 criminal cases in 2025, a figure that remained largely unchanged from the previous year. Violent crime fell by 10%, reflecting the agency’s ongoing 2022-2026 security strategy. The program focused on reinforcing specialized crime units, modernizing forensic laboratories, and expanding the use of criminal intelligence tools in investigations. Authorities also increased efforts to integrate human rights standards into police procedures, especially during preliminary investigations and pretrial detention processes.

Digital reforms accelerated throughout the year. The DGSN completed the deployment of a nationwide computerized system to digitize traffic accident reports, allowing faster case processing and automated data analysis for road safety planning. The agency also intensified campaigns to expand access to Morocco’s electronic national identity card system across different regions of the country.

Training infrastructure and personnel development remained central to the institution’s strategy. A new police academy opened in Marrakech in 2025 as part of a wider regional training network, while another academy is planned for Casablanca. Recruitment and training programs also expanded through updated professional standards at the Royal Police Institute and affiliated schools. The DGSN introduced additional welfare and workplace protection measures for police personnel, presenting them as part of a broader institutional reform effort.

Morocco’s security diplomacy gained visibility during the 93rd Interpol General Assembly hosted in Marrakech, which brought together representatives from 196 countries. The event adopted Interpol’s 2026-2030 strategy and resulted in the election of Prefect Mohammed Dkhissi as vice president of the organization. Moroccan authorities presented the outcome as recognition of the country’s growing credibility in international security cooperation and counterterrorism coordination.

The DGSN also strengthened its operational role during AFCON 2025 by deploying 6,000 mobile surveillance cameras across 75 sensitive locations. The system combined drone monitoring, biometric databases, and interconnected command centers to oversee security operations during the tournament. Morocco additionally launched the African Security Cooperation Center to coordinate with security delegations from participating countries. International delegations, including officials from the FBI and British sports security services, visited Morocco to study the country’s security management model ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The anniversary coincided with the 70th anniversary of Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces. King Mohammed VI called for accelerating military modernization programs focused on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digitalization, and scientific research. The monarchy also announced plans for 60,000 military housing units over five years and upgrades to military hospitals in Rabat, Meknes, Errachidia, and Laayoune. Moroccan authorities also pointed to recent emergency operations carried out during floods in Ksar El Kebir and the Gharb plain, alongside field hospital deployments in Azilal, Al Haouz, and Midelt.