Morocco Names Tiznit-Dakhla Expressway After Former President Trump
In a significant gesture of appreciation for U.S. President Donald Trump's support regarding Morocco's claim over Western Sahara, Morocco has officially named its flagship expressway, the Tiznit-Dakhla highway, the “Donald J. Trump Highway.” This decision, reported by the Moroccan state news agency MAP, underscores the heightened diplomatic ties between Morocco and the United States that flourished during Trump's presidency.
King Mohammed VI conveyed this honor to Trump in a letter dated July 2, emphasizing how the relationship between the two nations strengthened during Trump's two terms in office. The King highlighted the momentous recognition in 2020 by Trump of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, stating, “Your historic recognition… will forever be etched in the memory of Moroccans.” This expressway, spanning an impressive 1,055 kilometers, is hailed as one of Morocco’s most vital infrastructure projects and is regarded as the longest road of its kind in Africa.
Strategic Importance of the Highway
The Tiznit-Dakhla expressway serves a crucial role in connecting northern and southern Morocco and is integral to the Atlantic transport corridor that links Europe with West Africa. With an investment of approximately $1 billion, the highway begins in Tiznit and traverses cities such as Guelmim, Tan-Tan, and Laayoune before reaching its southern terminus in Dakhla. A significant portion of the expressway runs through Western Sahara, an area Morocco claims as part of its sovereign territory.
Moroccan authorities assert that this new highway will significantly enhance transportation efficiency by reducing travel times and minimizing disruptions caused by natural elements such as flooding and shifting sand dunes. This improvement is expected to facilitate the movement of people and goods between Morocco's economic hubs and its southern regions, thereby bolstering the nation's economic infrastructure.
In response to the honor, Trump expressed gratitude to King Mohammed VI through a post on Truth Social on July 26, stating, “Such a Great Honor! I look forward to traveling the entire length of this Great Highway someday, hopefully soon!” This naming is a reflection of the diplomatic advancements made during Trump's administration, particularly following the recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara in December 2020, which was paired with Morocco's agreement to normalize relations with Israel as part of the Abraham Accords.
The strategic partnership between Morocco and the U.S. continues to evolve, with Morocco becoming a key player in the Abraham Accords, thereby enhancing its diplomatic, economic, and security collaborations with Israel. The long-standing dispute over Western Sahara, which has persisted since Spain's withdrawal in 1975, sees Morocco controlling the majority of the region, with the Algeria-backed Polisario Front advocating for an independent Sahrawi state. In a further affirmation of this partnership, Israel recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in 2023, reiterating its support the following year.
The UN Security Council, in a resolution adopted in October 2025, backed negotiations centered on Morocco’s autonomy proposal for Western Sahara, which suggests limited self-governance while maintaining Moroccan sovereignty. In his correspondence with Trump, King Mohammed VI positioned the expressway not only as a vital infrastructure project but also as a symbol of the enduring strategic partnership between Morocco and the United States, asserting that it would strengthen Morocco’s role as a commercial bridge connecting Europe and Africa.
As reported by jpost.com.
