What You Need to Know
• Morocco has officially named a major highway after former U.S. President Donald Trump.
• The highway, previously known as the Tiznit-Dakhla highway, spans 1,055 kilometers into Western Sahara.
• King Mohammed VI expressed his gratitude to Trump for the U.S. recognition of Morocco’s claim over Western Sahara.
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI announced the renaming of a significant highway to honor former U.S. President Donald Trump. The highway, which was formerly called the Tiznit-Dakhla highway, stretches 1,055 kilometers and runs into Western Sahara, a territory largely claimed by Morocco but partially controlled by the Polisario Front. In a letter dated July 2, 2023, King Mohammed VI highlighted Trump’s “historic recognition” of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, a recognition that occurred during Trump’s administration in 2020 as part of a broader agreement to normalize relations with Israel. Trump acknowledged the honor in a social media post, expressing his eagerness to travel the highway, which reportedly cost nearly $1 billion to construct.
Why It Matters
This development underscores the ongoing geopolitical significance of Western Sahara, a region that has been contested for decades. The United Nations classifies Western Sahara as a “non-self-governing territory,” and the conflict has persisted for over fifty years. The African Union recognizes the independence of Western Sahara, while Morocco maintains its claim over the area, referring to it as its “southern provinces.” The recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty by the United States during Trump’s presidency marked a pivotal moment in international relations concerning this disputed territory.
Read the Full Story →
