Morocco honors Trump with highway name in Sahara western

In a gesture both symbolic and bold, Morocco has paid tribute to former US President Donald Trump in a manner uniquely befitting his legacy. King Mohammed VI issued a royal decree renaming a major highway after Trump, a move announced through official channels and designed to express gratitude for his pivotal support regarding Western Sahara.

The newly christened “Donald J. Trump Highway” spans 1,055 kilometers, connecting Tiznit in southern Morocco to Dakhla, a key city in the disputed territory. This infrastructure, already hailed as Africa’s longest roadway, underscores the kingdom’s commitment to developing the region despite ongoing territorial disputes.

Royal gratitude for historic recognition

In an official letter dated July 2, King Mohammed VI conveyed his appreciation to Trump for the latter’s 2020 decision to recognize Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara—a stance Morocco views as both historic and transformative. The monarch emphasized that this acknowledgment would remain etched in the nation’s collective memory, describing it as a testament to enduring friendship and peace between the two nations.

The highway, whose construction began in 2015, is part of Morocco’s broader strategy to integrate and develop Western Sahara economically and socially. The project, with an estimated cost of nearly €850 million, includes a high-speed segment between Tiznit and Laâyoune, the region’s administrative hub, before extending as a national road to Dakhla.

Trump’s response and ongoing support

Trump, who had previously expressed his enthusiasm on social media, responded with characteristic flair, calling the honor a “tremendous honor” and joking about his future visit to traverse the entire route. His 2020 policy shift—supporting Moroccan autonomy over Western Sahara in exchange for normalized relations with Israel—remains a cornerstone of US diplomacy in the region. In a public statement marking the 27th anniversary of King Mohammed VI’s ascension to the throne, Trump reaffirmed Washington’s unwavering backing for Rabat’s proposal, dismissing alternative solutions as unacceptable prolongations of the status quo.

Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony rich in phosphate deposits and marine resources, has been a flashpoint for nearly five decades. While Morocco controls the majority of the territory, the United Nations continues to classify it as non-self-governing, and the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, persists in advocating for independence.