In a striking diplomatic move, Morocco has named a major highway after former United States President Donald Trump. The decision, made by King Mohammed VI, honors the U.S. leader’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara in 2020.
Honoring a pivotal decision
The newly christened Autoroute Donald J. Trump spans 1,055 kilometers, connecting Tiznit to Dakhla and claiming the title of Africa’s longest roadway. The announcement was made public through a letter from King Mohammed VI, dated July 2, addressed to President Trump. In the correspondence, the monarch expressed deep gratitude for the U.S. administration’s historic stance on Western Sahara, which he described as an act of friendship and peace that would remain etched in Morocco’s collective memory.
The king wrote, “In tribute to this gesture of friendship and peace, I have decided to name one of the kingdom’s most vital infrastructure projects after ‘Autoroute Donald J. Trump.'”
Diplomatic milestone and regional implications
The U.S. recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara in December 2020 was a landmark shift in the decades-long dispute. Under this framework, Western Sahara would operate as an autonomous region under Moroccan governance, a proposal aligned with the kingdom’s decades-old position. The move came in exchange for Morocco’s normalization of relations with Israel, a strategic realignment that reshaped regional dynamics.
Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, has been a flashpoint since 1975 when Morocco took control of much of the territory. The Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, continues to demand independence for the region, which is rich in phosphates and boasts significant fishing resources. The United Nations has not recognized Morocco’s claim, classifying Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory.
A reciprocal gesture of appreciation
In a reciprocal message to King Mohammed VI, released simultaneously, President Trump reaffirmed Washington’s unwavering support for Morocco’s autonomy plan as the sole foundation for a just and lasting resolution. He emphasized that any alternative approach would perpetuate a status quo deemed unacceptable by the U.S.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump expressed his excitement on Truth Social, calling the naming of the highway “a tremendous honor” and expressing his eagerness to travel the entire route in the future.
This symbolic gesture underscores the enduring strength of U.S.-Morocco relations and the significance of diplomatic milestones in shaping regional stability.
