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The first African Police Cooperation Center was inaugurated today, Thursday, in Salé, Morocco, becoming the first of its kind on the continent. This center is dedicated to leadership, coordination, and the exchange of security information related to securing major sporting events, as part of preparations for hosting the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025.
The establishment of this center is the result of national cooperation between the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Living Abroad, the General Directorate of National Security, the Royal Gendarmerie, and the Moroccan Football Federation, alongside an international partnership with Interpol under the “Stadia” project for sports security.
The center includes representatives from national security agencies, liaison officers from the security services of the 23 qualified countries, as well as mobile teams of spotters who work directly with Moroccan authorities to accompany fans of their teams within stadiums and host cities. Representatives from the African Football Confederation (CAF) and FIFA, as well as experts from Spain and Portugal, are also participating in the center in preparation for the 2030 World Cup.
The center’s primary tasks include facilitating real-time operational information exchange, supporting risk assessments related to fans, coordinating preventive measures and field interventions, and providing consultation and support to Moroccan security forces, while promoting a shared security culture based on sports values and fair play. It also plays a crucial role in digital information vigilance by monitoring potential cyber threats and risks of terrorism and extremism, in coordination with Interpol’s Cybercrime Unit, to ensure the protection of sports facilities and all venues hosting spectators.
This project aligns with royal directives aimed at enhancing South-South cooperation and strengthening mechanisms for joint security efforts with African nations, reflecting Morocco’s commitment to organizing safe and successful international sporting events.
