The Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Morocco does not entail an exceptional security arrangement, but rather highlights an architecture that has long been in place, built on permanent vigilance, seamless coordination, and fully assumed sovereignty. Speaking on Ghorfat al-VAR, a program broadcast on Medradio, the Director of the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), Cherkaoui Habboub, provided a clear insight into this Moroccan security doctrine, whose effectiveness is internationally recognized.
The Africa Cup of Nations offers visitors greater visibility into Morocco’s security apparatus. In certain strategic locations, members of the BCIJ’s Special Brigade—masked and equipped with sophisticated logistical resources—draw attention. Their presence is neither circumstantial nor linked to a specific threat, but reflects the normal functioning of a security system based on continuous vigilance.
It is through this visible dimension that Cherkaoui Habboub began his intervention on Ghorfat al-VAR, broadcast live from Rabat. The Director of the BCIJ recalled that the institution serves as the judicial arm of the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN), specializing in the fight against terrorism and organized crime, and that it remains permanently mobilized regardless of events. "The BCIJ contributes to ensuring the full security of the Africa Cup of Nations, just as it has done for other major international events, including the World Cup in Qatar and the Olympic Games in Paris,” he noted.
The central objective remains the preservation of public tranquility. For Cherkaoui Habboub, security cannot be improvised nor strengthened sporadically; it is exercised relentlessly. The BCIJ’s action is therefore based on intelligence, operational coordination, and constant vigilance. "There is no half-measure when one bears the responsibility of ensuring the security of one’s homeland,” he stressed, referring to a total commitment, both professional and moral.
The security of the Africa Cup of Nations is fully rooted in a logic of sovereignty. "It is 100% Made in Morocco, just like the construction of the stadiums,” affirmed the Director of the BCIJ. International cooperation, essential in the fight against terrorism, remains focused on intelligence-sharing, without calling into question national decision-making autonomy. Morocco thus ensures its own security through its own means, while engaging in effective partnerships.
On the ground, coordination constitutes the cornerstone of the security system. It is ensured both horizontally and vertically among all security services, under the leadership of the Director General of the DGSN-DGST pole, Abdellatif Hammouchi, who ensures the rigorous implementation of the High Orientations of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. This coordination extends to territorial surveillance as well as the management of incoming flows from abroad, with strong anticipation capabilities grounded in intelligence.
Vigilance remains particularly high regarding threats emanating from the Sahel, described by Cherkaoui Habboub as "a serious source of danger for all of Africa” and as a strategic zone exploited by Daesh. Since its creation, the BCIJ has dismantled 103 terrorist cells, 93 of which were affiliated with Daesh. The Director also recalled that 130 Moroccans have left the country to join terrorist organizations in Somalia.
The evolution of routes used by certain radicalized profiles constitutes an aggravating factor. "While Turkey was previously a traditional transit point, flows now pass through Mali and then to Somalia via Ethiopia, taking advantage of the lack of rigorous control in certain regions,” he warned, describing this trend as particularly dangerous.
Another worrying phenomenon is the growing involvement of minors. Since the creation of the BCIJ, 54 minors have been brought before the courts, including 13 in 2025 alone. Without giving in to alarmism, Cherkaoui Habboub calls for increased responsibility on the part of families in the face of the risks of online radicalization.
The Director of the BCIJ also warned about the situation in Tindouf, which he described as a "terrorist free-trade zone.” He stated that "the involvement of the Polisario in terrorist activities is proven,” recalling that during the summit against Daesh held in Marrakech, it was clearly established that "separatism and terrorism are two sides of the same coin.”
Faced with multiple forms of terrorist financing—illicit trafficking, cybercrime, ransom-taking—Cherkaoui Habboub sought to reassure: "The vigilance network is effective, even though zero risk does not exist.” Morocco is thus multiplying security partnerships, convinced that the fight against terrorism transcends borders.
Beyond operational action, the Kingdom pursues a preventive strategy based on the promotion of a moderate and peaceful religious practice. For the Director of the BCIJ, security remains a fundamental lever: "It brings stability, and stability enables development.” This conviction lies at the heart of a Moroccan security doctrine built on continuity, anticipation, and unwavering commitment.