Amanze Chinonye
Morocco’s decision to name its newly completed $1 billion, 1,055-kilometre Tiznit-Dakhla Expressway after U.S. President Donald Trump is more than a symbolic gesture.
It reinforces Rabat’s campaign to secure international recognition of its sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara, one of Africa’s longest-running territorial conflicts.
By naming the route the President Donald J. Trump Highway, Morocco is underscoring the importance it attaches to Trump’s 2020 recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara a move that broke with decades of U.S. policy and remains one of the strongest international endorsements of Rabat’s claim to the territory.
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The expressway, which runs from Tiznit in southern Morocco to Dakhla in Western Sahara, is itself a strategic asset. Traversing the disputed territory, it strengthens Morocco’s physical, economic and administrative integration of Western Sahara while supporting the kingdom’s ambition to transform Dakhla into a major commercial gateway linking Europe and West Africa through the planned Dakhla Atlantic Port.
King Mohammed VI announced the highway’s designation in a letter to Trump, describing the U.S. recognition as a “historic” decision that deepened bilateral ties and would remain etched in the memory of the Moroccan people.
Trump welcomed the honour in a post on Truth Social, calling it “such a great honor” and saying he hoped to travel the length of the expressway in the future.
The move also carries broader diplomatic significance. It comes as Morocco continues to lobby for wider international backing for its autonomy plan for Western Sahara.
Although several countries have endorsed the proposal in recent years, the territory’s status remains unresolved under a United Nations-led peace process, with the Algeria-backed Polisario Front continuing to push for self-determination.
Construction of the expressway began in 2015 and was completed earlier this year. Valued at about $1 billion, it is one of Morocco’s largest infrastructure projects and is expected to improve connectivity, facilitate trade with Mauritania and sub-Saharan Africa, and bolster economic activity across the kingdom’s southern provinces.
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Trump’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in December 2020 marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy. Announced as part of the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords, under which Morocco normalised relations with Israel, the decision remains central to Rabat’s diplomatic efforts to consolidate international acceptance of its claim over the territory.
For Morocco, the highway represents far more than a transport project. It is a strategic instrument of state policy combining infrastructure investment, economic integration and diplomatic messaging to reinforce its sovereignty claims over Western Sahara while highlighting the enduring significance of the U.S. policy shift initiated under Trump’s administration.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
