The Tiznit-Dakhla expressway in Morocco has been officially named the "Donald J. Trump Highway," a decision made under the directive of King Mohammed VI. This new designation aims to honor the former U.S. president for his historic recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the contested Western Sahara territory back in 2020. The announcement was made public by the Moroccan official news agency MAP on August 2, 2026, following a letter sent by King Mohammed VI to Trump on July 2, expressing gratitude for the support he received in the past.
In his correspondence, the king articulated that Trump's acknowledgment had a significant impact and would always be remembered by the Moroccan people. The expressway, which spans an impressive length of 1,055 kilometers, holds the distinction of being the longest road infrastructure in Africa. By naming this essential roadway after Trump, the Moroccan monarch seeks to symbolize a gesture of friendship and peace between the two nations.
Trump's backing of Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara was a pivotal moment in international relations, particularly as it was exchanged for the normalization of diplomatic ties between Morocco and Israel. Historically, Western Sahara was a Spanish colony until 1975 and is rich in phosphates and fishing resources. Although largely administered by Morocco, the region remains a non-autonomous territory as classified by the United Nations. The long-standing conflict involving Morocco and the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for Western Sahara and is supported by Algeria, has persisted for over five decades.
As reported by lesoir.be.