Relations between Rabat and Washington are flourishing, marked by a significant symbolic gesture from Morocco to former President Donald Trump. King Mohammed VI has officially decreed that a major highway, connecting the southern region of the kingdom to the disputed territory of Western Sahara, will now bear the name of the former United States President.

The Tiznit-Dakhla expressway has been officially designated the “Donald J. Trump Highway.” This decision was conveyed by King Mohammed VI in a letter sent to the American president on July 2, with the details subsequently made public by Moroccan authorities.

Gratitude for historic recognition

In his correspondence, King Mohammed VI emphasized that this naming serves as a profound expression of gratitude for President Trump’s “historic recognition in 2020 of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara.” The monarch underscored that this pivotal acknowledgment would forever be etched in the memory of the Moroccan people. “In homage to this testament of friendship and peace, I have made the decision to name one of the kingdom’s most vital road infrastructures the ‘Donald J. Trump Highway,'” the King wrote. He further highlighted the impressive scale of the project, noting that the 1,055-kilometer route stands as the longest road infrastructure across the entire African continent.

The backdrop to this development dates back to December 2020, when Donald Trump unexpectedly endorsed 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 largely controlled by Morocco, the United Nations still considers it a non-self-governing territory. For five decades, this status has fueled a persistent conflict between Rabat and the Polisario Front, an independence movement supported by Algeria.

Trump’s continued support and reaction

In a recent message to King Mohammed VI, commemorating his 27th anniversary of ascending the throne, President Trump reaffirmed his unwavering support for Rabat’s proposal for Western Sahara. For the United States, the Moroccan plan remains “the sole foundation for a just and enduring resolution,” with any alternative path only serving to “prolong the status quo and is unacceptable.”

On July 26, President Trump publicly expressed his delight at the naming of the highway in Western Sahara on his social media platform. He conveyed his thanks to His Royal Highness Mohammed VI, calling it an “immense honor.” Trump also stated, “I look forward to one day driving this great highway in its entirety, I hope it will be soon!” at the time, Rabat had not yet officially confirmed his announcement.