Morocco is grappling with a wave of youth-led unrest that has exposed growing anger over poverty and failing public services, undermining the nation’s image of rapid economic growth and modernization ahead of the 2030 World Cup.
The protests, inspired by similar uprisings in Nepal, Madagascar, and Peru, began in major cities before spiraling into riots across rural areas. Three people were shot dead while attempting to storm a security headquarters, and more than 400 were arrested before the violence subsided, Reuters reported.
The unrest marks Morocco’s most widespread upheaval since the 2011 Arab Spring protests, which led King Mohammed VI to devolve some powers to parliament, and the most violent since the 2016 Rif region demonstrations.
The crisis underscores the government’s struggle to balance stability and development while maintaining its global reputation as it prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
Morocco has distinguished itself among non-oil Arab economies through massive investments in infrastructure, from roads, railways, and ports to renewable energy and manufacturing. Poverty has nearly halved, according to national statistics, and parts of the northwest coast now boast living standards comparable to southern Europe. The central bank expects GDP growth to rise to 4.6% this year from 3.8% last year, while S&P recently granted Morocco an “investment-grade” credit rating.
Still, protesters argue that this progress has bypassed much of the population. Their demands center on better healthcare and education, with many drawing contrasts between lavish World Cup preparations and neglected social services. One popular chant, “We do not want the World Cup. Health first,” spread after eight women died in childbirth at a hospital in Agadir last month.
“I see poor people suffering every day because of the dire conditions in public hospitals,” said 24-year-old medical student Naji Achoui, who protested outside parliament in Rabat. He noted that his hospital’s emergency ward lacks even a basic CT scanner.
According to the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE), one in four Moroccans aged 15 to 24 are not in education, employment, or training. “We reject violence, but both the youth that protest peacefully and those engaging in riots are all victims of public policies,” said 19-year-old management student Jihane Ratma from Sale, near Rabat.
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Authorities appeared caught off guard by the demonstrations. Early bans on rallies and police crackdowns failed to stop the unrest, and by the time officials pivoted to dialogue, hundreds of cars and dozens of buildings, including banks and a police station, had been looted or burned.
“The government and members of parliament buried their heads in the sand, leaving the security forces to deal with the fallout of failed policies,” said retired police officer Mohamed Agdid.
The protests were largely organized online by an anonymous group known as “GenZ 212,” referencing Morocco’s dialing code. The group used social media platforms such as Discord, TikTok, and Instagram to mobilize support, with its Discord membership surging from 3,000 to 188,000 within a week.
The violence was especially severe in rural towns like Ait Amira, located in Morocco’s southern agricultural belt. The town’s population has grown from 25,000 to about 113,000 in three decades, driven by waves of seasonal laborers, but local infrastructure has not kept pace. “Ait Amira was a tinderbox waiting to explode,” said sociologist and activist Khalid Alayoud.
At the same time, public confidence in politics is waning. A survey by the Moroccan Institute for Policy Analysis showed trust in political parties fell to 33% in 2023, down from 50% the previous year.
Since calm returned, government officials have adopted a conciliatory tone. Employment Minister Younes Sekkouri acknowledged the “sincerity” of the protesters’ grievances, while Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, whose resignation many demonstrators demanded, said that “dialogue is the only path forward.”
Many now await King Mohammed VI’s address to parliament, hoping for meaningful reform. Protesters have avoided criticism of the monarchy, instead focusing on systemic failures. In a statement, GenZ 212 cited a 2017 speech by the king urging officials to “either discharge your obligations fully or withdraw from public life.”
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Image Credit: Dzair Tube
