Relations between Rabat and Washington are robust, and Morocco has chosen a profoundly symbolic gesture to underscore this bond with Donald Trump. King Mohammed VI has officially named a significant highway, linking the southern reaches of the kingdom to the contested territory of Western Sahara, after the former United States President. This announcement was made public by the official Moroccan news agency MAP on Saturday.
The Tiznit-Dakhla expressway has been formally designated the “Autoroute Donald J. Trump,” as revealed in a letter from King Mohammed VI to the American president dated July 2nd, which was also released by MAP.
Gratitude for western Sahara recognition and israeli normalization
In his correspondence, King Mohammed VI emphasized that this naming serves as a token of gratitude for Donald Trump’s “historic recognition in 2020 of Morocco’s sovereignty over ‘its Sahara’.” This pivotal decision, the King stated, “will forever be etched in the memory of Moroccans.” He further elaborated, “In tribute to this testament of friendship and peace, I have resolved to name one of the kingdom’s most vital road infrastructures the ‘Autoroute Donald J. Trump’.” This impressive roadway spans 1,055 kilometers, making it the “longest road infrastructure across all of Africa,” the King added.
In December 2020, Donald Trump had extended his unexpected endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara. This diplomatic move was reciprocated by Morocco’s normalization of relations with Israel. Western Sahara, a vast desert region rich in phosphates and abundant fishing waters, was a Spanish colony until 1975. While Morocco controls the majority of the territory, the United Nations still classifies it as non-self-governing. For five decades, Rabat has been embroiled in a conflict over the region with the Polisario Front, which is supported by Algeria.
Trump’s enduring support and travel aspirations
In a message addressed to King Mohammed VI for the 27th anniversary of his ascension to the throne this week, also made public by MAP on Saturday, Donald Trump reaffirmed his unwavering support for Rabat’s proposal concerning Western Sahara. From the United States’ perspective, the Moroccan initiative remains “the sole foundation for a just and lasting solution.” Trump asserted that “any alternative path merely perpetuates the status quo and is unacceptable.”
On his Truth Social platform on July 26th, Donald Trump expressed his delight at King Mohammed VI’s decision to name a highway in Western Sahara after him. “Thank you to His Royal Highness Mohammed VI. […] What a tremendous honor! I look forward to one day traveling the entire length of this great highway, hopefully soon!” Donald Trump enthusiastically declared, an announcement that Rabat had not previously confirmed.
