In a significant diplomatic gesture, former US President Donald Trump has publicly expressed his gratitude towards King Mohammed VI of Morocco after the country honored him by naming the Tiznit-Dakhla Expressway in his name. Trump described this tribute as a "great honor," reflecting the strengthening ties between Morocco and the United States.
On his social media platform, Trump shared a heartfelt message: "Thank you to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, for this great honor. I look forward to traveling the full length of this magnificent expressway one day, and hope it will be soon." The expressway, officially named the Donald J. Trump Expressway, spans approximately 1,055 kilometers, providing a crucial link between Tiznit and Dakhla, and serving as a vital infrastructure project that connects the northern and southern regions of Morocco.
This expression of gratitude from Trump comes amidst a backdrop of increasingly robust relations between Rabat and Washington. In recent years, the bilateral ties have expanded significantly across various domains, including political, economic, and strategic fields. The partnership gained notable momentum following the United States' recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces in the Sahara in December 2020. This pivotal decision has led to successive U.S. administrations reaffirming their support for Morocco’s autonomy plan as a foundation for a lasting resolution to the ongoing regional dispute.
The United States has consistently reiterated its backing for Morocco’s autonomy initiative, describing it as the only realistic and credible framework for resolving the conflict. Furthermore, Washington, as the penholder of United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding the Sahara issue, has been instrumental in supporting efforts to revive the UN-led political process, stressing the importance of including Algeria in the negotiations alongside the other stakeholders.
Additionally, the U.S. supported the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2797, which reiterated the call for a pragmatic and enduring political solution while recognizing Morocco's autonomy proposal as a serious and viable option to end the dispute. The growing international support for Morocco’s autonomy plan is evident, with over 130 countries endorsing the initiative, demonstrated by the opening of consulates in the southern provinces or through public endorsements of the proposal.
The recent exchange between Rabat and Washington is part of a series of diplomatic gestures that highlight the close relationship between the two nations. Earlier this month, coinciding with the celebration of US Independence Day on July 4, King Mohammed VI sent a congratulatory message to Trump, reaffirming Morocco’s commitment to further solidifying its long-standing strategic partnership with the United States.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
