Moroccans will soon travel on the Donald Trump Highway. King Mohammed VI announced on August 1st that the Tiznit-Dakhla expressway would bear the name of the former U.S. President. This gesture serves as a tribute for his 2020 decision recognizing Morocco‘s sovereignty over the Sahara, an act Moroccan officials described as “historically significant”.

In a letter dated July 2nd, the monarch stated, “In appreciation of this display of friendship and peace, I have decided to name one of the kingdom’s most vital roadways the Donald Trump Highway.” Stretching 1,055 kilometers, the highway is now recognized as “Africa’s longest road infrastructure,” he added.

Donald Trump made headlines in December 2020 when he unexpectedly endorsed a plan granting Morocco autonomy over the Western Sahara, in exchange for the normalization of Morocco–Israel ties. The territory, once under Spanish rule until 1975, is rich in phosphates and marine resources but remains a non-autonomous region according to the United Nations.

On the 27th anniversary of his enthronement, King Mohammed VI shared a public message in which Donald Trump once again reaffirmed his unwavering support for Rabat’s autonomy proposal for Western Sahara.

Diplomatic significance and regional implications

The naming of the highway underscores the deepening ties between Morocco and the United States, particularly under Trump’s administration. The Sahara issue has long been a contentious topic, with Morocco advocating for a negotiated solution while maintaining control over most of the territory.

International recognition and ongoing debates

While Morocco celebrates this diplomatic victory, the Western Sahara dispute remains unresolved in global forums. The United Nations continues to classify the region as a non-self-governing territory, awaiting a resolution through negotiations.

The highway, now a symbol of this diplomatic gesture, stands as a testament to the enduring partnership between Morocco and the U.S.