Full Breakdown
Donald J. Trump Highway Unveiled in Morocco
8/4/2026, 12:25:42 AM
Core Event: Highway Renamed for U.S. President
Morocco’s state news agency MAP announced that the 1,055-km (655-mile) Tiznit-Dakhla expressway has been renamed the “Donald J. Trump Highway.” King Mohammed VI informed President Donald Trump of the decision in a letter dated July 2, describing the road as a “strategic axis” linking north and south. Trump thanked the monarch in a July 26 Truth Social post, expressing his intention to travel the route.
Background & Context
The naming follows Washington’s 2020 recognition of Morocco’s claim to Western Sahara—a “historic recognition” cited by the king. That recognition was part of a deal that also saw Morocco normalize relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords. Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, remains a UN-designated “non-self-governing territory” disputed between Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front. The African Union recognises Sahrawi independence, while most European governments have avoided a formal stance.
Official Statements & Responses
- The UN Security Council adopted a resolution in October 2025 supporting negotiations based on Morocco’s autonomy proposal, which would grant limited self-government while keeping the territory under Moroccan sovereignty.
- Israel formally recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in 2023 and reaffirmed that position in 2024, reinforcing Morocco’s diplomatic gains.
Data & Statistics
- Length: 1,055 km (655 mi), described as the longest road infrastructure in Africa.
- Construction cost: roughly $1 billion (£740 m).
- Route: begins in Tiznit, passes through Guelmim, Tan-Tan, Laayoune, and ends in Dakhla.
- Ongoing work: on May 26, 2025, construction of the Dakhla Atlantic Port proceeded within the highway’s southern segment, located 40 km north of Dakhla in the rural commune of El-Argoub.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Such a Great Honor! I look forward to traveling the entire length of this Great Highway someday, hopefully soon!” — Donald Trump, after US president
