King Mohammed VI said the move honours Trump’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, calling it a lasting symbol of the two countries’ partnership.
Rabat, Morocco (Running Africa) — Morocco has officially renamed the 1,055-kilometre Tiznit-Dakhla Highway in honor of U.S. President Donald Trump, with King Mohammed VI describing the move as a gesture of appreciation for Trump’s 2020 recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.
The decision was confirmed in a letter from the Moroccan monarch published by the country’s state news agency, marking a symbolic milestone in relations between Rabat and Washington.
The renamed Trump Highway stretches from southern Morocco to Dakhla in Western Sahara, serving as one of the country’s most significant transport corridors.
King Mohammed VI Praises Trump’s Western Sahara Decision
In the letter, dated July 2, King Mohammed VI said Trump’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara represented a historic moment in bilateral relations.
The monarch described the decision as one that would remain “etched in the memory of Moroccans from generation to generation,” while reaffirming the strong strategic partnership between Morocco and the United States.
Trump became the first U.S. president to formally recognize Morocco’s claim over Western Sahara in 2020, a move that significantly shifted longstanding U.S. policy on the disputed territory.
Highway Is a Strategic Infrastructure Project
The newly renamed highway spans approximately 1,055 kilometers and connects southern Morocco with the city of Dakhla, one of the region’s most important economic and logistical hubs.
Constructed at a reported cost of nearly $1 billion, the road is regarded as one of Morocco’s largest infrastructure investments and plays a vital role in facilitating trade, tourism and regional connectivity.
Moroccan authorities consider the route a key link between the kingdom and what it describes as its southern provinces.
Trump Welcomes the Honour
President Trump publicly acknowledged the tribute last week through a social media post, sharing a video of the highway and expressing hope that he would one day travel its entire length.
The announcement has attracted international attention because of the highway’s location in Western Sahara, a territory whose status remains the subject of a decades-long international dispute.
Western Sahara Dispute Remains Unresolved
Western Sahara remains one of Africa’s longest-running territorial disputes.
Morocco administers and controls most of the territory, while the Polisario Front continues to seek independence for the region.
The United Nations continues to support efforts toward a negotiated political solution that would determine the territory’s future status.
The decision to rename the highway underscores Morocco’s continued emphasis on international recognition of its sovereignty claims while highlighting the enduring diplomatic significance of Trump’s 2020 policy decision.
