Morocco has taken its gratitude to a new level. In a move both symbolic and unprecedented, King Mohammed VI has renamed a major highway after former US President Donald Trump, thanking him in a style reminiscent of the president’s own approach to recognition.
The Tiznit-Dakhla expressway, spanning over 1,000 kilometers, has been officially designated the “Donald J. Trump Highway”, announced the Moroccan state news agency MAP on August 1. The decision followed a letter from the king to the former US president dated July 2, in which he expressed his “eternal gratitude” for Trump’s historic 2020 recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara.
Historic backing reshapes regional dynamics
In December 2020, the Trump administration abruptly shifted US policy by endorsing Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, in exchange for the North African kingdom’s normalization of ties with Israel. This bold move broke from decades of US neutrality and significantly strengthened Morocco’s international standing in the long-running dispute.
Western Sahara, a phosphate-rich desert territory with rich fishing waters, remains a non-self-governing territory under United Nations classification. Since Spain’s withdrawal in 1975, Morocco has controlled most of the region, while the Sahrawi independence movement led by the Polisario Front—backed by Algeria—continues to demand self-determination.
A gesture that resonated in Washington
In response to the royal tribute, Trump posted on Truth Social, calling it “a tremendous honor” and expressing eagerness to one day drive the full length of the highway. While Rabat did not confirm his claim of intending to visit, the public acknowledgment underscored the personal significance of the gesture for both leaders.
In a message marking the 27th anniversary of Mohammed VI’s accession to the throne, Trump reaffirmed Washington’s unwavering support for Morocco’s proposal, calling it “the only viable foundation for a just and lasting solution”. Any alternative, he asserted, would only prolong the status quo and prove unacceptable.
Infrastructure as a symbol of commitment
The renamed highway is more than a symbolic tribute—it represents a cornerstone of Morocco’s ambitious development strategy in Western Sahara. Spanning 1,055 kilometers, the route connects Tiznit in southern Morocco to Dakhla, a key city in the region, and is hailed as the longest road infrastructure in Africa.
Officially launched in 2015 under King Mohammed VI’s vision, the project includes a high-speed segment between Tiznit and Laâyoune, the administrative heart of Western Sahara, before extending as a national road to Dakhla. With an estimated cost of nearly €850 million, the infrastructure reflects Morocco’s deep investment in integrating and developing the contested territory.
Whether viewed as a diplomatic flourish or a strategic alignment, the naming of the Donald J. Trump Highway stands as a bold statement of gratitude—and a reminder of how pivotal US support has been in reshaping the geopolitical landscape of North Africa.
