For six consecutive nights, Morocco’s cities have echoed with the chants of a generation demanding more: better schools, adequate hospitals, and a government that listens. What began as a simmering frustration among youth over chronic underfunding in public services has erupted into one of the country’s most significant waves of unrest in over a decade, drawing international attention and raising tough questions about the kingdom’s priorities.
On October 1, 2025, the unrest reached a tragic crescendo in Leqliaa, a small town outside Agadir. Security forces opened fire on demonstrators, leaving three people dead and hundreds more injured, according to the Moroccan Interior Ministry. The ministry reported 354 injuries, mostly among law enforcement, and widespread property damage: hundreds of cars, banks, shops, and public buildings across 23 provinces were affected. The images of burning vehicles and looted banks quickly spread across social media, intensifying the anger on the streets.
But this movement isn’t just about a single night of violence. The protests, led by a leaderless, internet-savvy group called Gen Z 212—a nod to both Morocco’s international dialing code and the generation driving the movement—have drawn thousands into public squares in cities like Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, and Agadir. According to the Interior Ministry, roughly 70% of demonstrators are minors, a testament to the youthful energy fueling the calls for change.
“Health care first, we don’t want the World Cup,” has become one of the most popular refrains, reflecting a deep-seated frustration with what many see as misplaced government priorities. As Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, billions are being poured into stadium projects. Meanwhile, public hospitals and schools are left struggling. The recent deaths of eight women in a public hospital in Agadir have become a rallying cry, with protesters chanting, “Stadiums are here, but where are the hospitals?” and “We want dignity, not mega-projects.”
Demonstrators have also called for the resignation of Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, holding him and his government responsible for the state of public services and the heavy-handed response to protests. “The people want to topple Akhannouch,” crowds chanted on October 2, 2025, as they gathered for another night of demonstrations. Some even called on King Mohammed VI to intervene, hoping the monarch would step in where the government has, in their eyes, failed.
In his first public remarks since the violence, Prime Minister Akhannouch said he was mourning the deaths and praised law enforcement for maintaining order. He pledged that the government was prepared to respond favorably to protesters, though he stopped short of detailing any specific reforms. “The approach based on dialogue is the only way to deal with the various problems faced by our country,” Akhannouch said in a televised address. Later, he acknowledged public frustration and promised to “listen to the concerns of Morocco’s youth,” adding, “The government is open to dialogue with all segments of society. We must work together to ensure stability while addressing the legitimate expectations of our young people.”
Yet the government’s reassurances have done little to quell the unrest. The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) and several eyewitnesses have disputed the official account of the Leqliaa shootings, claiming that security forces used live ammunition to disperse crowds rather than acting in self-defense. “The government must immediately stop using force against demonstrators and release all those detained for peacefully expressing their opinions,” said AMDH president Souad Benmoussa in a statement. The association reports that more than 1,000 people have been detained nationwide, with some still in custody on charges of public disorder and property destruction.
International organizations have not remained silent. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, speaking through spokesperson Farhan Haq, called on Morocco to uphold the rule of law and ensure accountability for the violence. “The Secretary-General deplores the violence during recent demonstrations in Morocco, reportedly resulting in three people killed and several hundred injured,” Haq said at a press briefing in New York. Guterres urged that protests “take place in a peaceful manner, respecting life, property, and the rule of law, and for a prompt and impartial investigation with a view to ensuring accountability.” He also welcomed Akhannouch’s pledge to engage in dialogue and insisted that “the voices of Morocco’s young people must be heard. Their aspirations for justice, opportunity, and dignity deserve a fair and lawful response.”
Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the European Union have echoed these concerns, calling for restraint and respect for freedom of assembly. Guterres’ call for an impartial investigation adds pressure on Moroccan authorities to respond transparently to the events of the past week.
Behind the headlines, the protests reveal a deeper malaise. According to World Bank data, nearly 30% of Moroccans under 30 are unemployed, and inflation continues to erode household incomes. Viral videos showing overcrowded classrooms and crumbling hospital wards have only fueled the sense of injustice. “The right to health, education and a dignified life is not an empty slogan but a serious demand,” Gen Z 212 declared in a statement. The group, which organizes through platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Discord, has vowed to persist with “peaceful and creative” demonstrations. “We have no quarrel with the police, only with corruption and injustice,” they posted on X (formerly Twitter). “We will not be silenced.”
The government, for its part, has denied prioritizing World Cup spending over public infrastructure, arguing that many health sector problems were inherited from previous administrations. Officials have also pointed out that the protests have, at times, turned violent, with banks looted and cars set ablaze, particularly in cities far from where development efforts have been concentrated. Still, the movement’s core demand remains unchanged: an end to what protesters see as systemic corruption and neglect.
The Gen Z 212 protests mirror similar youth-led movements in countries like Nepal, Kenya, and Madagascar, where frustrations over inequality and lack of opportunity have boiled over into the streets. In Morocco, as night falls, demonstrators continue to gather—lighting candles in memory of those killed and holding banners that read, “We are the generation of change. We will not be ignored.”
As the weekend approaches, there’s little sign that the protests will subside. Organizers say daily marches will continue until the government takes concrete action on corruption and social reform. Whether the government’s promises of dialogue can bridge the widening gap between Morocco’s youth and those in power remains to be seen. For now, the streets belong to a generation determined not to be overlooked.
