Moroccan King Names Major Highway After Donald Trump
King Mohammed VI’s letter confirms that Morocco has renamed a 1,055‑km (655‑mile) southern highway after former U.S. president Donald Trump. The move follows a 2020 U.S. acknowledgment of Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed region of Western Sahara. The road, previously called the Tiznit‑Dakhla highway, runs into parts of Western Sahara that Morocco controls and claims sovereignty over, while some areas remain under the control of the Polisario Front. Trump welcomed the honour on his Truth Social platform, noting the highway’s cost of almost $1 billion and his intention to travel its length fully. The letter, dated 2 July, highlights the king’s regard for Trump’s “historic recognition” and views the renaming as a “strategic axis” linking Morocco’s north and south. This gesture continues a broader diplomatic strategy to solidify ties between the two nations amid ongoing disputes over Western Sahara’s status and the broader geopolitical dynamics of the region.
The United Nations regards Western Sahara as a non‑self‑governing territory, and the African Union recognizes its independence. European states, historically cautious, have largely stayed neutral, though some, like the United Kingdom and Spain, support Morocco’s plan for autonomous governance. The renaming of the highway underscores the intertwined interests of Morocco and the United States in regional stability and economic development. The gesture was publicly celebrated by both monarch and president, reflecting the enduring friendship and mutual political agendas.
