Trump's Potential Visit to Morocco Linked to Infrastructure Honor
U.S. President Donald Trump has recently alluded to a potential visit to Morocco, following the honor of having the Tiznit to Dakhla highway named after him. On July 26, he publicly expressed his gratitude to King Mohammed VI for this recognition. Trump stated his aspiration to travel the entire length of the highway, which spans over 1,000 kilometers, and expressed hope that this journey would happen soon. The U.S. Embassy also connected this renaming to a renewed support for Morocco's stance in the Western Sahara conflict.
On his platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Thank you to Highly Respected Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco — Such a Great Honor! I look forward to traveling the entire length of this Great Highway someday, hopefully soon!" This remark raised questions about any concrete travel plans, as no specific dates or further details regarding a visit to Morocco were disclosed.
The Significance of the 'President Donald J. Trump Highway'
The highway, previously known as the Tiznit-Dakhla expressway, is now officially designated as the "President Donald J. Trump Highway." This remarkable road connects Guelmim and Laâyoune to Dakhla, covering approximately 1,055 kilometers. In a video shared by Trump, the highway is portrayed as a symbol of the long-standing relations between Morocco and the United States. The video highlights that Morocco was among the first countries to recognize the independence of the United States back in 1777. The subsequent Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the two nations is regarded as the foundation for one of the oldest uninterrupted diplomatic relationships the U.S. maintains.
This renaming adds a layer of geopolitical significance to the infrastructure project, as the highway serves to link Northern Morocco with Dakhla and the territories that Rabat refers to as southern provinces. U.S. Ambassador to Morocco, Duke Buchan, also addressed the renaming, stating that the "President Donald J. Trump Highway" signifies King Mohammed VI's leadership and the partnership between the two countries. Furthermore, Buchan reaffirmed Washington's political position regarding the Sahara issue, emphasizing, "Under President Donald J. Trump, the United States remains steadfast in its commitment to stand alongside Morocco for a Moroccan Sahara characterized by peace, regional stability, and prosperity for future generations."
This statement imbues the highway's renaming with a political message that transcends the personal honor bestowed upon Trump. Washington links this construction project to its backing of Morocco and its claims to the region. The highway is among Morocco's largest road construction projects, with total costs estimated between nine and ten billion dirhams. The final segment of the highway is slated for completion by the end of 2024, with the official opening scheduled for January 10, 2025.
The project is part of a development program initiated in 2015 aimed at enhancing economic connectivity in the southern provinces. It promises to facilitate the movement of goods, reduce travel times, and improve access to the Atlantic coast. The highway comprises three main sections: a 500-kilometer expansion and widening of National Road 1 between Laâyoune and Dakhla, a 436-kilometer stretch between Guelmim and Laâyoune costing around five billion dirhams, and an additional 114 kilometers connecting Tiznit with Guelmim. Along this route, 16 major bridges, rest areas, and spaces for unloading and selling fishery products have been constructed, including what Moroccan sources claim to be the longest bridge in the country.
Moreover, this road connection is expected to link the future Dakhla Atlantique port to the national transportation network, which is planned as a commercial and logistics hub along the Moroccan Atlantic coast.
As reported by fokus-afrika.de.
