Morocco Names Longest Highway After Donald Trump

Morocco has officially named its longest highway the "Donald J. Trump Highway" in a gesture of gratitude towards the former U.S. president. The 1,055-kilometer expressway, previously known as the "Tiznit-Dakhla," now bears Trump's name.

The decision stems directly from Trump's December 2020 proclamation recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara. This move was a significant diplomatic victory for Morocco, which has long claimed the territory.

Western Sahara, a strategically vital region on North Africa's Atlantic coast, is rich in mineral and fish resources. Historically, it was a Spanish colony until 1975. Morocco asserts its claim based on historical ties and the allegiance of local tribes to Moroccan sultans before the colonial era, considering it an inseparable part of its territory.

Moroccan King Mohammed VI reportedly sent a letter to Donald Trump informing him of the highway's renaming. The move highlights the significant impact of Trump's foreign policy decisions, particularly concerning the status of Western Sahara, and Morocco's appreciation for that stance.