Morocco is grappling with its most significant wave of unrest in nearly a decade as youth-led protests, organized under the banner "GenZ 212," have entered a sixth day, resulting in multiple fatalities and hundreds of arrests. The protests, which began peacefully on September 27, have escalated into violent clashes in several cities, with three demonstrators killed after security forces opened fire in the southern town of Lqliaa, near Agadir .
The movement, composed largely of young people and coordinated through social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Discord, initially demanded better schools, hospitals, and broader freedoms . A central point of contention is the government's heavy spending on preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco is co-hosting with Spain and Portugal, while many public services remain in a dire state . Protesters have been heard chanting, "Stadiums are here, but where are the hospitals?" .
The demonstrations, which started in major cities like Rabat and Casablanca, have since spread across the nation . While early gatherings were largely peaceful, the situation deteriorated sharply on the night of October 1, leading to widespread vandalism and clashes .
In Salé, near the capital Rabat, masked youths hurled stones at police, looted shops, and set banks and police vehicles ablaze . Similar scenes unfolded in other areas, including the tourist hub of Marrakech, where a police station was burned, and in towns in the Souss region near Agadir, where local government buildings were targeted . The violence marks the most severe unrest since the 2016-2017 protests in the northern Rif region .
Authorities have responded with a significant security crackdown. The Interior Ministry reports that 409 people have been taken into custody, with 193 facing trial on charges including arson, ransacking, and attacking security forces . The ministry also states that 263 members of the security forces and 23 civilians have been injured, with hundreds of vehicles damaged.
In the face of the escalating crisis, Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch issued a statement on October 2, saying his government was ready for "dialogue and discussion" to address the demands of the youth . However, protesters are demanding that he step down . The GenZ 212 group has repeatedly distanced itself from the violence, urging its followers online to maintain peaceful protests and stating it has no conflict with the security forces, only with the government.
The protests erupt against a backdrop of severe economic pressures, particularly for young Moroccans. Official statistics show a national unemployment rate of 12.8%, which soars to 35.8% for people under the age of 25 . Unemployment among graduates stands at 19% . This economic discontent is amplified by a healthcare crisis, with the recent deaths of several women at a public hospital in Agadir becoming a rallying cry for the movement .
Inspired by similar youth-led protests in countries like Nepal and Madagascar, the GenZ 212 movement has seen its online membership surge from around 3,000 to over 150,000, reflecting the rapid spread of anger and frustration among the country's youth . The movement is a product of the internet, with no formal leadership or traditional organizational structure, differentiating it from previous protest movements in the country .