Tragedy struck Moroccan streets as three individuals lost their lives in anti-government protests, now in their sixth day. These youth-led demonstrations are fueled by deep-seated anger over the substantial funds being poured into the 2030 FIFA World Cup preparations, while essential public services remain neglected.
The unrest ignited last weekend, sparked by Gen Z 212, a loosely organized group that leveraged social media to demand improved education, healthcare, and greater freedoms across the North African nation. Protesters first gathered in key cities like Rabat and Casablanca, drawing a stark contrast between the government’s multi-million dollar investment in the global soccer event and the desperate condition of its public infrastructure.
In a public statement, police claimed they resorted to self-defense after demonstrators allegedly attempted to storm a police facility and seize weapons, leading to two fatalities. The circumstances surrounding the third death have not been disclosed by authorities.
Gen Z 212 quickly condemned the deaths on social media, labeling them a “serious human rights violation.”
During a televised address to his cabinet, Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch stated his government was open to “dialogue and discussion within institutions and public spaces.” However, protestors have made their primary demand clear: his resignation.
These Moroccan protests join a growing global trend of youth-led demonstrations in recent weeks. While seemingly unconnected, these movements across different nations share a common thread: increasing frustration among younger generations with government corruption and a lack of economic prospects. Social media has proven to be a powerful catalyst, amplifying these shared anxieties and mobilizing people to action.
Just this week, youth-fueled protests in Madagascar, sparked by widespread power outages and water scarcity, compelled the president to disband his government. Prior to that, thousands in Manila, Philippines, demonstrated against their government, alleging the misuse of billions of dollars intended for flood relief.
The previous month saw student protestors in Nepal, also identifying as Gen Z, launch a movement against government corruption and a ban on social media. August brought massive demonstrations in Indonesia, ignited by escalating unemployment and inflation.
Morocco’s youth are grappling with severe economic hardships, reflected in an alarming 35.8% unemployment rate for those under 25, as reported by the national statistics agency.
The government’s substantial expenditure on preparing for the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Portugal and Spain, has significantly intensified public outrage. Protestors are loudly condemning this spending, and several professional soccer fan clubs have even declared they will boycott matches in the new or refurbished stadiums.
These anti-World Cup demonstrations mirror the widespread protests seen in Brazil prior to its hosting of the 2014 tournament, when similar large-scale stadium projects were undertaken amidst escalating living costs and inadequate healthcare and education services.
Morocco, along with its co-hosts Portugal and Spain, committed to hosting games in facilities meeting stringent FIFA standards to secure the event. This necessitates significant investment in new construction or extensive renovations of existing venues.
“We don’t want the World Cup. We don’t want stadiums,” declared Siman, an unemployed graduate who requested anonymity due to fears of retaliation. She recounted being arrested earlier this week but immediately rejoined the protests upon her release.
Rachid El Khalfi, a spokesman for Morocco’s interior ministry, reported via the state news agency that over 400 individuals have been arrested. He accused protestors of vandalizing government buildings, banks, businesses, and setting dozens of security vehicles ablaze.
However, demonstrators countered by accusing police of using excessive force against peaceful gatherings, arguing that these tactics only exacerbated tensions. Khadija Riyadi, a respected Moroccan human rights lawyer, highlighted a concerning new trend: arrests for simply speaking to the media. “This kind of targeting is very new,” she noted.
While primarily driven by youth, the Moroccan protests have garnered backing from established organizations, including the Moroccan Association for Human Rights. This group was actively involved in the 2011 Arab Spring demonstrations, which led to constitutional reforms, though subsequent protests often met with severe government crackdowns.
Soumaya Regragui, a senior official with the association, observed that the generation coming of age after 2011 has primarily experienced repression. “The new generation, seeing global events unfold, possesses more courage and feels they have nothing to lose,” she remarked, referencing the recent surge in youth-led protests worldwide.
The Gen Z 212 group, named after Morocco’s telephone country code, has pledged to continue its demonstrations. Following the recent deaths, a group member launched a social media poll asking how they should proceed: protest in quieter areas to avoid police confrontations, demonstrate peacefully from homes, or observe a day of mourning? Ultimately, many chose to return to the streets.