In a symbolic gesture of gratitude, Morocco has dedicated a sprawling highway in the contested Western Sahara region to former US President Donald Trump, following his pivotal 2020 decision to recognize the kingdom’s sovereignty over the area.

An imposing 1,055-kilometer expressway now bears the name of Donald J. Trump, connecting the southern Moroccan cities of Tiznit and Dakhla. The tribute was announced through a royal decree issued by King Mohammed VI, who personally informed the American president in an official letter dated July 2. The monarch emphasized that this move was a lasting tribute to Trump’s historic recognition of Morocco’s claim to the Western Sahara, a decision he described as “forever etched in the memory of Moroccans.”

The newly christened Autoroute Donald J. Trump stands as the longest road infrastructure on the African continent, underscoring its strategic and economic significance. In his correspondence, King Mohammed VI expressed that naming the highway after Trump was a gesture of friendship and peace, honoring the former US leader’s decisive stance.

Trump’s 2020 recognition reshaped the Western Sahara debate

The turning point came in December 2020, when the United States officially endorsed Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara—provided Rabat agreed to normalize ties with Israel. This abrupt shift in Washington’s long-standing position marked a major diplomatic victory for Morocco, which has administered most of the resource-rich desert territory since Spain’s withdrawal in 1975.

Western Sahara remains a non-self-governing territory under United Nations classification, with the decades-long conflict pitting Morocco against the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which seeks full independence for the region. Despite the UN’s call for a referendum on self-determination, Rabat has consistently promoted its autonomy proposal as the sole viable path to lasting peace.

Washington’s unwavering support for Rabat’s vision

In a public message marking the 27th anniversary of King Mohammed VI’s ascension to the throne, Donald Trump reiterated his administration’s firm backing for Morocco’s autonomy initiative. The United States has repeatedly stated that this proposal represents “the only foundation for a just and durable solution” in Western Sahara. Any alternative, the former president asserted, would only perpetuate the status quo—a scenario he deemed unacceptable.

Following the highway’s renaming, Trump took to his social media platform to express his enthusiasm, calling the honor “a tremendous gesture of goodwill” and teasing a future visit to traverse the entire route. “What a great honor! I look forward to driving the full length of this magnificent highway soon,” he wrote on Truth Social.