In a gesture blending gratitude with flair, the Kingdom of Morocco has immortalized Donald J. Trump by naming a monumental highway after the former U.S. president. The decision, announced through official channels, marks the renaming of the Tiznit-Dakhla expressway as the Donald J. Trump Highway, a tribute to Washington’s historic 2020 recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed Sahara Occidental.
The announcement came directly from King Mohammed VI, who formalized the gesture in a letter addressed to Donald Trump on July 2. The monarch expressed his desire to honor the former U.S. president for his “historic recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara, an act that will forever remain etched in the hearts of Moroccans.”
An Infrastructure of Unprecedented Scale
The newly christened Donald J. Trump Highway stretches across 1,055 kilometers, making it the longest roadway in Africa, according to Moroccan authorities. This colossal project, initiated in 2015 under King Mohammed VI’s vision, connects southern Morocco to the Sahara Occidental, a region rich in phosphate reserves and abundant fishing grounds.
The highway’s construction, still underway, includes a high-speed segment linking Tiznit to Laâyoune—the administrative heart of the disputed territory—before extending into a widened national road toward Dakhla. The total investment nears €850 million, underscoring Morocco’s commitment to developing the region despite ongoing territorial disputes.
A Diplomatic Breakthrough in 2020
The naming ceremony follows Donald Trump’s pivotal December 2020 decision to recognize the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara Occidental as the sole basis for a lasting solution. In exchange, Morocco agreed to normalize relations with Israel, a move that reshaped regional dynamics.
For the U.S., the Moroccan proposal remains “the only viable path to a fair and durable resolution,” as Donald Trump reiterated in a public statement marking the 27th anniversary of King Mohammed VI’s accession to the throne. He emphasized that any alternative would perpetuate the status quo, calling it “unacceptable.”
A Symbolic Gesture That Resonated
The U.S. president responded with enthusiasm on his social media platform, Truth Social, where he shared his excitement upon learning of the highway’s new name. “Thank you to His Royal Highness, King Mohammed VI! What an incredible honor! I can’t wait to drive the entire length of this magnificent highway soon—I hope it’s soon!” he wrote.
Moroccan officials have not confirmed whether Donald Trump has yet visited the renamed infrastructure. However, aerial footage shared by state media showcases the highway’s progress, offering a glimpse of its vast desert landscapes and engineering prowess.
The Ongoing Dispute
The Sahara Occidental, a former Spanish colony ceded in 1975, remains a non-self-governing territory under United Nations designation. While Morocco controls most of the region, the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, continues to advocate for independence.
Morocco’s substantial investments in infrastructure, including the Donald J. Trump Highway, underscore its strategy to consolidate control and foster development in the contested territory. The gesture toward Donald Trump further cements the bond between Rabat and Washington, reinforcing a diplomatic alliance built on mutual recognition and shared interests.
