In a landmark decision, Morocco has named its 1,055-kilometer Tiznit-Dakhla expressway after former U.S. President Donald Trump, marking a historic gesture of gratitude for his 2020 recognition of Western Sahara as part of Morocco’s sovereign territory.

King Mohammed VI conveyed the tribute in a letter to Trump on July 2, emphasizing that this act of appreciation would remain etched in the nation’s collective memory. The newly designated “Autoroute Donald J. Trump” spans the length of the country’s southern regions, including the disputed Western Sahara, and stands as Africa’s longest continuous road infrastructure.

On his social media platform, Trump celebrated the honor, calling it “a tremendous privilege.” He expressed enthusiasm about one day traversing the entire route, though Moroccan officials have yet to confirm this development.

Diplomatic ties and regional significance

The naming follows Morocco’s 2020 normalization agreement with the U.S., which included Washington’s formal acknowledgment of Rabat’s sovereignty over Western Sahara—a long-standing territorial dispute with the Sahrawi independence movement. The highway’s construction connects key economic zones, reinforcing Morocco’s strategic positioning in the region.

The tribute underscores the enduring impact of the Morocco-U.S. accord, which has bolstered economic and political collaboration across North Africa and beyond.