Morocco Experiences Eighth Consecutive Day of Youth Protests

Members of a Moroccan online youth collective continued to protest for the eighth consecutive day on Saturday, calling for improved public health and education services.

The demonstrations in the traditionally stable North African kingdom challenge the perception that young Moroccans are politically disengaged. They have been organised since last Saturday by GenZ 212, a group active on the web platform Discord.

Protests Across Cities

• Tetouan, in northern Morocco: Hundreds of protesters gathered, chanting slogans such as “The people want an end to corruption” and “Freedom, dignity and social justice”, according to local media reports.
• Casablanca, in the west: Demonstrators shouted “The people want education and health”.
• Rabat, the capital: Around a dozen people assembled in front of parliament, AFP photographers reported.

GenZ 212, whose founders remain anonymous, previously called on Discord for protests in 14 cities, scheduled between 6:00 pm (1700 GMT) and 9:00 pm.

The group is advocating for:

• Reforms in social services, particularly healthcare and education.
• An end to corruption.
• Resignation of Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, whose tenure concludes next year.

On Friday evening, hundreds rallied in multiple cities, including Rabat and Agadir.

Two days earlier, reports emerged of violence in smaller towns, with three people killed by police “in legitimate defence” after allegedly attempting to storm a station in the village of Lqliaa, near Agadir, according to authorities.

Despite these earlier clashes, GenZ 212, which counts more than 180,000 members on Discord, emphasises the nonviolent nature of its demonstrations. The gatherings since then have been largely peaceful.

The rallies follow isolated protests in mid-September after reports of the deaths of eight pregnant women at the public hospital in Agadir. These women had been admitted for cesarean sections, and their deaths sparked outrage.

Protesters have highlighted these fatalities as evidence of the public health sector’s failings, fuelling broader discontent over social inequalities across the country.