Morocco honors Trump with desert highway in stark display of gratitude
In a move both symbolic and dramatic, Morocco has paid tribute to Donald Trump by renaming a major highway in the Western Sahara region after the former U.S. president. The decision, announced by the official Moroccan Press Agency (MAP), came directly from King Mohammed VI, who formalized the gesture in a letter to Trump on July 2.
The newly designated Donald J. Trump Highway spans 1,055 kilometers—making it Africa’s longest road infrastructure—and connects southern Morocco to the contested Western Sahara, a territory claimed by the Polisario Front. The Polisario, backed by Algeria, has fought for independence from Rabat for five decades.
An unprecedented diplomatic gesture
In his letter, King Mohammed VI expressed gratitude for Trump’s “historic recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara in 2020”, a decision that “will forever remain etched in the hearts of Moroccans.” He framed the highway’s renaming as a tribute to Trump’s “testament of friendship and peace.”
The road itself is a monumental project, launched by the king in 2015. It includes a high-speed route from Tiznit to Laâyoune, the administrative heart of Western Sahara, extended into a national highway reaching Dakhla. With an estimated cost of €850 million, the infrastructure underscores Morocco’s commitment to developing the region despite ongoing disputes.
A strategic shift in 2020
Trump’s 2020 endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara—tied to a normalization deal with Israel—marked a turning point in the decades-long conflict. The U.S. has since maintained that the Moroccan proposal is “the only viable foundation for a fair and lasting solution.”
In response to the highway’s renaming, Trump took to Truth Social to express his enthusiasm, calling it “a tremendous honor.” He even teased a future visit, posting: “I can’t wait to drive the full length of this great highway someday—hopefully soon!” No official confirmation from Rabat has accompanied his remarks.
A vision of progress amid controversy
Aerial footage of the Tiznit-Dakhla axis, shared in a four-minute video, showcases the highway’s scale and Morocco’s investment in Western Sahara. Though still under construction in parts, the road symbolizes both economic ambition and geopolitical strategy.
The move has drawn attention to the broader implications of Trump’s 2020 decision, which reshaped regional alliances. For Morocco, the highway’s name serves as a lasting reminder of the diplomatic breakthrough—and a courtly, if unconventional, way to say thank you.
