In a gesture of gratitude, Morocco has named a major highway after former US President Donald Trump. The decision, announced by the Moroccan government, comes after Trump’s historic recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara in 2020. The newly christened Autoroute Donald J. Trump connects southern Morocco to the disputed territory, spanning an impressive 1,055 kilometers—the longest road infrastructure in Africa.

The announcement was made via a letter from King Mohammed VI to Trump on July 2, expressing appreciation for the US leader’s pivotal role in backing Morocco’s position. The king highlighted the significance of Trump’s decision, stating that it “will forever be etched in the memory of Moroccans.”

“In tribute to this display of friendship and peace, I have decided to name one of the kingdom’s most vital roadways after Donald J. Trump,” the monarch wrote. The highway, linking Tiznit to Dakhla, now stands as a symbol of the strengthened ties between the two nations.

Trump’s pivotal role in Western Sahara’s autonomy plan

In December 2020, Trump made headlines by endorsing Morocco’s autonomy proposal for the Western Sahara in exchange for the normalization of relations between Morocco and Israel. The Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony rich in phosphate reserves and abundant fishing grounds, has been a flashpoint in North African politics for decades.

The territory remains under Moroccan control but is classified as non-self-governing by the United Nations. A decades-long conflict persists between Morocco and the Polisario Front, an independence movement backed by Algeria. Trump’s endorsement of the Moroccan plan has been framed as a critical step toward resolving the dispute.

In a public message to King Mohammed VI on the 27th anniversary of his ascension to the throne, Trump reinforced his unwavering support for Morocco’s initiative. “The Moroccan plan remains the only foundation for a just and lasting solution,” he stated. “Any alternative path prolongs the status quo, which is unacceptable.”

Trump also took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to express his enthusiasm about the highway naming. “What an incredible honor! I can’t wait to drive the entire length of this magnificent highway one day,” he wrote in a post dated July 26.