According to Bloomberg News on August 2, Moroccan King Mohammed VI said he decided to name a highway that costs $1 billion and runs across the disputed region of Western Sahara after U.S. President Donald Trump, as a way to express his 'deep gratitude' to this American leader.
According to the Moroccan national news agency MAP, Muhammad VI confirmed in a letter that the highway connecting Tiznit and the West Saharan city of Dakhla, which is 1055 kilometers long, will be named 'Donald J. Trump Highway'. It is reported that this is the longest road infrastructure in Africa.
Mohamed VI praised Trump for his "historic recognition" of Morocco's rule over Western Sahara in 2020, saying that this "will be forever etched in the memory of the Moroccan people," and that it "has injected unprecedented momentum into bilateral relations."
He also wrote: “In order to commemorate this friendship and peace, and to express my deep gratitude, I have decided to name one of the most important roads after you.”
Trump publicly thanked him on social media, calling it a "great honor," and expressed gratitude to King Mohammed VI. He stated that he hopes to walk this road in person someday.
Western Sahara is a region rich in resources, with an area similar to that of the United Kingdom. Since the colonial ruler Spain withdrew in 1975, independent movements supported by Morocco and Algeria have been controversial. The United Nations has classified this region as a non-self-governing territory.
As he neared the end of his first term in office, Trump recognized Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara as part of his agreement to restore diplomatic relations with Israel. Morocco is an important ally of the United States.
Currently, this highway is partially open to traffic. Morocco considers it a key infrastructure project that promotes economic development in the southern provinces and regional connectivity.
