Morocco Names Highway After Trump, Citing Western Sahara Recognition
Morocco has officially named its flagship Tiznit-Dakhla expressway after US President Donald Trump, a move that highlights the close ties between Rabat and Washington and underscores the ongoing dispute over Western Sahara. The decision was confirmed in a letter from King Mohammed VI to President Trump, dated July 2 and published by Morocco's state press agency, according to reports from Al Jazeera, BBC News, and The Jerusalem Post.
The highway, which stretches 1,055 kilometers (655 miles) from Tiznit to Dakhla, passes through Western Sahara, a territory that Morocco claims as its "southern provinces," but which is also partly controlled by the Polisario Front, an armed group seeking independence for the local Sahrawi people. The road is described by the Moroccan monarch as a "strategic axis" linking the north and south of the country and forming part of an Atlantic transport corridor connecting Europe with West Africa.
In his letter, King Mohammed VI expressed his "high regard" for President Trump, citing his "historic recognition" in 2020 of Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara. "Your historic recognition, in 2020, of Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara will forever be etched in the memory of Moroccans," the king wrote, according to reports. Trump had acknowledged the honor in a social media post on his Truth Social platform, thanking the king and saying he looked forward to traveling on the "Great Highway" one day.
The naming comes amid a complex geopolitical backdrop. In 2020, during Trump's first term, the United States recognized Morocco's claim over Western Sahara as part of a deal in which Morocco agreed to normalize relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords. That recognition marked a departure from the long-standing US position that had favored a UN-sponsored referendum for the territory.
More recently, in October 2025, the Trump administration sponsored a UN Security Council resolution endorsing Morocco's autonomy proposal for Western Sahara. However, the resolution drew criticism from Algeria, which has backed the Polisario Front, and led to Algeria recalling its ambassador from Paris, according to reports.
Coverage and Reactions
Reports on the highway naming differ in framing and detail. Al Jazeera highlighted the surprise element, noting that Trump's initial announcement came "as a surprise to many, not least because Rabat itself has remained silent" until the release of the king's letter. The outlet also quoted analyst Intissar Fakir of the Middle East Institute, who suggested the timing of the recognition might be linked to Morocco's ambitions to host the 2030 World Cup final, an event co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
BBC News focused on the historical context, describing Western Sahara as a "former Spanish colony" considered a "non-self-governing territory" by the UN and noting that the UN has consistently pushed for a solution, including a referendum, but that the indigenous people have never been able to vote on their future. The BBC also reported that the African Union recognizes Western Sahara's independence.
The Jerusalem Post, which has a different regional focus, emphasized the infrastructural and economic aspects, describing the highway as one of Morocco's most important road projects and the longest road infrastructure in Africa. It also noted the road's route through disputed territory, saying it "runs through Western Sahara, which Morocco considers part of its southern provinces."
Perspectives
The naming has elicited distinct viewpoints from involved parties.
King Mohammed VI's letter framed the tribute as a personal expression of gratitude, stating that relations between Morocco and the United States "have never been as vigorous and fruitful as during your two presidential terms." This perspective, reported by all three outlets, emphasizes the strength of bilateral ties and the significance of the US recognition in 2020.
Analysts quoted by Al Jazeera offered a more measured view, suggesting that the gesture, while not surprising given Morocco's close ties to the Trump administration, is notable for its timing. Intissar Fakir speculated that the recognition might be linked to Morocco's ambition to host the 2030 World Cup final, while also noting that "it makes perfect sense that Morocco would do something like this for Trump, who single-handedly moved that case forward – the only American administration to give Morocco what it always wanted."
In contrast, the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for Western Sahara, and Algeria, which has criticized the UNSC resolution, represent opposing views. Al Jazeera reported that the Polisario has declared an end to the 1991 ceasefire, a claim not mentioned by the other two outlets. Algeria's criticism of the resolution and its recall of its ambassador from Paris were also reported only by Al Jazeera. These conflicting positions reflect the deep divisions over the territory's status, with Morocco asserting sovereignty and the Polisario and Algeria advocating for self-determination and independence.