Morocco honours Donald Trump with a historic highway dedication
In a gesture of deep gratitude, Morocco has bestowed the name of former United States President Donald Trump upon a major highway linking southern Morocco to the contested Sahara Occidental. The announcement, made by the country’s official news agency, marks a significant diplomatic milestone between the two nations.
Stretching across 1,055 kilometres, the Tiznit-Dakhla expressway is now officially designated as the “Autoroute Donald J. Trump“. This monumental infrastructure, the longest road network in Africa, was renamed in recognition of Donald Trump‘s pivotal role in endorsing Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed territory in 2020.
In an official letter addressed to the U.S. president on 2 July, King Mohammed VI expressed his intention to immortalise the occasion through this symbolic tribute. The monarch highlighted the historic decision as a testament to the enduring friendship and peace between Morocco and the United States.
Diplomatic breakthrough reshapes Sahara Occidental’s future
The renaming follows Donald Trump‘s landmark recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara Occidental in December 2020. This move, which came alongside the normalisation of Morocco–Israel relations, was framed as a critical step toward resolving the decades-long conflict in the region.
The Sahara Occidental, a phosphate-rich desert territory with abundant fishing waters, was under Spanish colonial rule until 1975. Despite Morocco’s control over much of the area, the United Nations continues to classify it as a non-self-governing territory. The dispute pits Rabat against the Polisario Front, an independence movement backed by Algeria, which has fought for self-determination since the 1970s.
In a reciprocal message marking the 27th anniversary of King Mohammed VI’s ascension to the throne, Donald Trump reaffirmed his unwavering support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Sahara Occidental. The U.S. stance remains clear: the Moroccan proposal is deemed “the only basis for a just and lasting solution” to the conflict.
Donald Trump took to social media to share his enthusiasm over the tribute. “Thank you to His Royal Highness King Mohammed VI,” he wrote. “What an incredible honour! I look forward to driving the entire length of this magnificent highway someday—hopefully soon!”