Youth Protests in Morocco Demand Improvement of Public Services.. and the Government Confirms Its Readiness for Dialogue
Several Moroccan cities have witnessed a wave of protests organized by youth movements in recent days, raising social demands focused on improving the quality of public services in health and education, and combating corruption.
These movements came in response to calls made by the "Generation Z 212" movement to organize "peaceful protests" starting from last Saturday. The protesters also opposed prioritizing investment in sports infrastructure in preparation for hosting the Africa Cup 2026 and the World Cup 2030 in collaboration with Spain and Portugal, demanding that those resources be directed towards essential social sectors.
In response to these movements, the Moroccan Prime Minister, Aziz Akhannouch, confirmed on Thursday, October 2, his government's readiness for dialogue. He stated in a televised speech during a government meeting: "We confirm that the government, through the various parties that make it up, has interacted with the demands of youth expressions and announces its responsiveness to these social demands and its readiness for dialogue and discussion from within institutions and public spaces."
Akhannouch added, addressing another aspect of the events: "The incidents of violence that occurred during the protests in recent days resulted in the death of three people," explaining that security agencies continue to fulfill their constitutional duty to protect public security and order.
For his part, the spokesperson for the Moroccan Ministry of Interior, Rashid Khalfi, revealed a concerning aspect of these protests, saying: "The unfortunate thing about these incidents of violence and riots is that they involved a significant percentage of children and minors, reaching in many instances 100% of the participating groups."
Khalfi also clarified the circumstances surrounding the casualties, stating: "Royal Gendarmerie forces were forced to use their service weapon in the context of legitimate self-defense, resulting in three fatalities."
According to news reports, the disturbances and protests affected several areas including Oujda, Kenitra, and Inzegan.
The Prime Minister concluded his speech by reiterating the commitment to dialogue, stating: "His government reaffirms that the approach based on dialogue is the only way to address the various issues facing our country and to accelerate the implementation of public policies related to social demands, contributing to achieving the common aspirations of all Moroccans."
