ALBAWABA- Youth-led protests swept across Morocco on Wednesday as thousands of Gen Z activists took to the streets in Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech, escalating a movement that began late last month.
The demonstrations, organized by decentralized groups such as GenZ 212 and Morocco Youth Voice, have become the country’s largest anti-government rallies in years, demanding urgent reforms in healthcare, education, and social spending.
Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds, leaving at least 15 protesters injured and dozens detained. Authorities also imposed a night curfew in major cities, underscoring the growing standoff between the government and the youth-driven movement.
The protests were triggered by public outrage after eight women died during childbirth at a hospital in Agadir on September 25, exposing deep flaws in Morocco’s healthcare system.
With youth unemployment hovering at 35.8%, frustration quickly spread online through platforms like TikTok and Discord, where activists rallied under the slogan “Hospitals, Not Stadiums,” criticizing the government’s $2 billion investment in stadiums for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco is co-hosting with Spain and Portugal.
Over the weekend, thousands gathered in Rabat, and by Wednesday, protesters had blocked highways and occupied central squares. Clashes escalated as some demonstrators threw Molotov cocktails while police responded with batons.
Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit vowed “zero tolerance” for unrest. At the same time, activists dismissed government accusations of foreign interference, insisting the protests reflect Morocco’s homegrown frustrations, including the lingering impact of the 2023 earthquake.
