Morocco names highway after us president in diplomatic gesture

The Moroccan monarchy has marked a historic diplomatic milestone by naming a major highway in honor of former US President Donald Trump. This unprecedented gesture comes in recognition of his 2020 decision to endorse Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara.

On August 1st, King Mohammed VI announced the renaming of the Tiznit-Dakhla expressway as the “Donald Trump Highway.” The decision was publicly revealed in a royal decree issued on July 2nd, underscoring the enduring significance of Trump’s policy shift in Rabat’s eyes.

Diplomatic milestone and strategic partnership

In December 2020, the Trump administration broke from decades of US neutrality by formally supporting Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara. This move, which coincided with Morocco’s normalization of relations with Israel, was framed as a gesture of goodwill between Washington and Rabat.

The 1,055-kilometer highway now bearing Trump’s name represents a monumental infrastructure achievement for Morocco. As the longest roadway in Africa, it symbolizes both national progress and the kingdom’s gratitude toward the former US leader.

Western Sahara dispute enters new phase

The Western Sahara region, a former Spanish colony rich in phosphate reserves and marine resources, has been a focal point of Morocco’s territorial claims since 1975. While the Moroccan government controls most of the territory, the United Nations continues to classify it as a non-self-governing region.

Trump’s 2020 endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy initiative provided a significant diplomatic victory for Rabat, reinforcing the kingdom’s position in international forums. The decision to name the highway after the US president further solidifies this strategic alliance.

In a reciprocal gesture, Trump reaffirmed his support for Morocco’s sovereignty claims in a message marking the 27th anniversary of King Mohammed VI’s accession to the throne, further cementing the bond between the two nations.