Morocco names highway after donald trump in diplomatic gesture

The diplomatic ties between Morocco and the United States have reached new heights. In a symbolic move, King Mohammed VI has ordered the renaming of a major highway in Western Sahara to honor the current U.S. President, Donald Trump.

The newly christened Autoroute Donald J. Trump stretches over 1,055 kilometers, making it the longest road infrastructure in Africa. This gesture follows the Moroccan monarch‘s decision to publicly acknowledge the U.S. recognition of Morocco‘s sovereignty over the Western Sahara in 2020.

Honoring a landmark decision

In a letter dated July 2 and addressed to Donald Trump, King Mohammed VI expressed his gratitude for the U.S. support in recognizing Morocco‘s territorial integrity. Mohammed VI stated, “This historic recognition will forever be etched in the hearts of Moroccans.” He further added, “In tribute to this gesture of friendship and peace, I have decided to name one of the kingdom’s most vital infrastructures after ‘Autoroute Donald J. Trump.'”

Diplomatic breakthrough

The Moroccan-U.S. alliance took a significant turn in December 2020 when Donald Trump announced his support for a Moroccan autonomy plan for Western Sahara. This decision was contingent upon the normalization of relations between Morocco and Israel.

Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, has been a contentious issue for decades. The territory, rich in phosphates and abundant in marine resources, is largely controlled by Morocco. However, the United Nations still considers it a non-self-governing territory. The conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front, an independence movement backed by Algeria, has persisted for over fifty years.

Trump’s unwavering support

In a reciprocal gesture, Donald Trump reaffirmed his backing for Morocco‘s autonomy proposal in a message to King Mohammed VI, published on the occasion of the monarch’s 27th accession anniversary. The U.S. President emphasized that Morocco‘s plan remains “the only basis for a just and lasting solution.” He further cautioned that “any other path prolongs the status quo and is unacceptable.”

Donald Trump‘s enthusiasm for the newly named highway was evident on his Truth Social platform. He wrote, “Grateful to His Royal Highness King Mohammed VI. […] What an immense honor! I look forward to one day driving this incredible highway in its entirety, hopefully soon!”