The Meknes Royal Military Academy (military school of Dar El-Beida before 1961) is the Moroccan Army officer initial training centre. Created by Sultan Muley Yusef in 1918 at Meknes, it is a unique military institution in North Africa, it was originally created to train the sons of the Moroccan elites close to the colonial administration to become army officers designed to lead the Moroccan troops and later become exercising administrative positions in the Makhzen like pachas, caïds or khalifas. In 1961,[1] it became the Royal Military Academy, since then this institution has contributed to the training of many military and administrative cadres in Morocco and Africa.
| Meknes Royal Military Academy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 1918 to present |
| Country | Morocco |
| Branch | Royal Moroccan Army |
| Type | Training |
| Role | Army Officer Training |
| Colours | Red, green & golden |
This school has been frequented by many Moroccan military personalities such as the general Mohamed Oufkir, Mohamed Medbouh, and Ahmed Dlimi.[2]
Origins edit
Originally built by Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah between 1760 and 1775, within the vast Kasbah (citadel) of his great grandfather of Sultan Moulay Ismail.
The palace was later deserted after the looting that happened during the period of political instability in Morocco, known as Siba, during the reign of Sultan Sidi Abderrehman, the building was then used as a food depot and arsenal, and then became a military barrack named Kaschla of Tabor the Haraba of Sultan Moulay Hassan I then it became the officers School were Moroccan instructors were trained by foreign, mainly European instructors.
Mission edit
The Royal Military Academy's mission is to ensure the complete formation of the active officers of the Royal Moroccan Army as well as training the rifle-men for the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. It also includes a high school that is responsible for preparing cadets candidates for the baccalaureate of secondary education. The laureates of The Royal Military Academy can become officers in the Royal Moroccan Army, the Moroccan Royal Guard, the Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie and the Auxiliary Forces.
Education edit
The Royal Military Academy offers a 4 years officer training courses in 3 fields that are Science and Technology, legal Sciences and English Language and Literature, after finishing the 4 years courses the cadets receive the "Diplôme des Etudes Universitaires et Militaires" and are commissioned to the rank of "Sous-lieutenant" or Second lieutenant in the Moroccan military.
Notable alumni edit
- Mohamed Oufkir
- Mohamed Medbouh
- Ahmed Dlimi
- Ahmed Marzouki
- M'hamed Ababou
- Mbarek Bekkay
- Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema - Transitional President of Gabon[3][4][5]
- Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz - 8th President of Mauritania[6][7]
- Azali Assoumani - 7th President of the Comoros[8][9]
- Abdourahamane Tchiani - President of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland
- Mohamed Ould Ghazouani - 9th President of Mauritania[10][11][12]
References edit
- ^ academie royale militaire meknès
- ^ Le militaire des élèves officiers marocains de Dar El-Beïda à Meknès
- ^ "Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema's Moroccan years". The Africa Report.com. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
- ^ "Gen Brice Oligui Nguema: Who is Gabon's coup leader?". BBC News. 2023-08-31. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
- ^ "General Brice Oligui Nguema, the man named to lead Gabon after coup". France 24. 2023-08-31. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
- ^ "Mauritania: Men of Trust, President Ould Abdelaziz's Shield – The North Africa Post". Retrieved 2023-10-07.
- ^ "Mauritanie : l'élection de Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, une bonne nouvelle pour le Maroc ? – Jeune Afrique". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). 2019-06-28. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
- ^ "Comores : Azali Assoumani élu président". BBC News Afrique (in French). 2016-05-12. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
- ^ "New African Union chair brings controversial record to top post". France 24. 2023-02-18. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
- ^ "AMI - Mohamed Cheikh El Ghazwani". olden.ami.mr. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
- ^ "Mauritanie : Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, l'homme de l'ombre – Jeune Afrique". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). 2012-11-20. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
- ^ "Mauritanie. Ghazouani: qui est le nouveau président mauritanien?". Le 360 Afrique (in French). Retrieved 2023-10-07.
See also edit