In a bold diplomatic move, Morocco has honored former US President Donald Trump with the renaming of a major highway linking southern regions to the disputed Western Sahara territory. The decision, signed by King Mohammed VI, underscores Rabat’s deep appreciation for Trump’s pivotal role in recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara in 2020.
The newly christened Donald J. Trump Highway spans 1,055 kilometers, making it Africa’s longest road infrastructure, according to Moroccan state media. This gesture reflects not only gratitude but also a strategic alignment with Trump’s policies, particularly his administration’s historic decision to recognize Western Sahara as part of Morocco in exchange for the normalization of relations between Rabat and Tel Aviv.
From Recognition to Monumental Tribute
In a letter dated July 2, addressed to Trump, King Mohammed VI expressed his intention to immortalize the former US leader’s name on the Tiznit-Dakhla expressway. The monarch highlighted Trump’s “historic recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara in 2020, an act that will forever remain etched in the memory of the Moroccan people.”
The highway, a cornerstone of Morocco’s development in the region, was inaugurated in 2015 under Mohammed VI’s leadership. Though still under construction, it connects key cities like Tiznit and Laâyoune, with plans to extend it to Dakhla. The project, valued at nearly €850 million, symbolizes Morocco’s commitment to integrating Western Sahara through infrastructure and economic development.
A Diplomatic Win for Morocco
Trump’s unwavering support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara was reaffirmed in a public message to King Mohammed VI on the 27th anniversary of his accession to the throne. The former US president emphasized that the Moroccan proposal remains “the sole basis for a just and lasting solution,” dismissing alternative paths as prolonging an unacceptable status quo.
Trump, who had previously celebrated the highway’s renaming on his Truth Social platform, called it an “immense honor,” expressing his eagerness to one day traverse the entire length of the road. While Rabat did not confirm the timing of his visit, the gesture has cemented a legacy of mutual recognition between the two nations.
The Western Sahara conflict, dating back half a century, pits Morocco against the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria. The territory, rich in phosphates and marine resources, has been under Moroccan control since Spain’s withdrawal in 1975, though the United Nations continues to classify it as non-self-governing.
