Morocco names 'Africa's longest highway' in disputed territory after Donald Trump

Morocco has named a major highway after former U.S. President Donald Trump, a move that underscores the North African kingdom's gratitude for his administration's recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara. The highway, stretching 1,055 kilometers (655 miles) between Tiznit and Dakhla, has been officially renamed the "Donald J. Trump Highway."

King Mohammed VI conveyed his decision in a letter to Trump on July 2, expressing thanks for the "historic recognition of Morocco's sovereignty" over the Sahara in December 2020. This diplomatic move by Trump, which came in exchange for Morocco normalizing relations with Israel, is deeply valued by Rabat.

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historic recognition of Morocco's sovereignty

Moroccan authorities describe the highway as the "longest road infrastructure in all of Africa." Trump, in turn, expressed his appreciation for the honor, writing on his Truth Social platform that he looks forward to traveling the entire highway "hopefully soon."

The Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, has been under Moroccan control since 1975 but its status is fiercely contested. The United Nations considers it a "non-self-governing territory," and a decades-long conflict persists between Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front independence movement, which has resulted in thousands of deaths. Morocco has bolstered its claim through significant infrastructure development, including a deep-sea port and this extensive highway, while also encouraging settlement by Moroccans in key cities like Dakhla and Laayoune.

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I look forward to traveling the entire highway in its entirety, hopefully soon.