The U.S. Senate is expected to consider legislation this week that would deepen defence cooperation with Morocco while advancing new oversight of U.S. security policy toward Nigeria, as lawmakers complete their final week of work before Congress breaks for its August recess.
The Senate could take up its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the annual defence policy bill that sets priorities for the U.S. military. The measure includes a provision requiring Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to submit to Congress a strategy to strengthen defence cooperation with Morocco, including plans to establish a drone centre of excellence in the North African kingdom.
The proposal follows the U.S.-Morocco Roadmap for Defence Cooperation 2026-2036, a 10-year military cooperation agreement signed in April during a visit by a Moroccan delegation to Washington.
According to the White House, the United States and Morocco maintain one of the longest-standing strategic partnerships in the region, with cooperation spanning defence, counterterrorism, regional security and military training. Morocco also remains the only African country with a free trade agreement with the United States and is designated a major non-NATO ally.
The House of Representatives, which adjourned until Aug. 31 after passing a $1.15 trillion defence authorization bill last week, included separate Africa-related provisions in its version of the NDAA.
The accompanying explanatory report directs the Department of Defense to brief Congress on its strategy for addressing escalating violence in Nigeria, where Islamist insurgencies, armed criminal groups and communal conflicts have contributed to persistent insecurity in several regions.
Separately, the House earlier this month approved its fiscal year 2027 foreign operations appropriations bill, which would restrict U.S. security assistance to Nigeria’s federal government until the administration certifies progress in protecting Christian communities from attacks.
The Senate has yet to determine whether similar language will be incorporated into its own legislation.
The defence bill comes as the Trump administration continues to emphasize strengthening partnerships with key regional allies while encouraging African governments to assume greater responsibility for addressing security challenges.
The NDAA must be approved by both chambers of Congress before being sent to President Donald Trump for his signature later this year.
