For nearly two weeks, Morocco has witnessed a groundswell of youth-led protests, with thousands of Generation Z demonstrators flooding the streets of cities like Rabat, Tangiers, Casablanca, Oujda, and the suburbs of Agadir. Their demands are clear and urgent: better jobs, improved housing, expanded access to health care, and a more equitable education system. The movement, largely orchestrated by the leaderless Gen Z 212 collective, has rapidly gained momentum through social media platforms such as TikTok and Discord, amassing more than 200,000 followers and drawing international attention to the North African nation’s simmering social issues.
On October 10, 2025, all eyes turned to Morocco’s parliament as King Mohammed VI delivered a highly anticipated speech. The 62-year-old monarch, notably walking unaided after previously relying on a cane, addressed lawmakers clad in traditional white djellaba robes. His remarks echoed many of the protesters’ grievances—regional inequality, overstretched public services, and uneven development—but stopped short of directly naming the Gen Z 212 movement or its demands.
“Social justice is not a temporary priority,” King Mohammed VI declared, as reported by the Associated Press. “It’s a strategic direction to which everyone must adhere, and a crucial challenge that should govern our various development policies.” He called on elected officials to act with “seriousness and responsibility,” urging them to defend the nation and address the grievances voiced by demonstrators. “We call on everyone to combat all practices that waste time, effort and resources,” the king added, making clear that inertia and inefficiency would no longer be tolerated.
The king’s speech came at a tense moment. According to BBC and local news outlets, the Gen Z 212 collective had just published a public letter addressed directly to the monarch, urging him to intervene against corruption, dismiss Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, and initiate sweeping reforms. Their letter pressed for the release of so-called “opinion detainees”—individuals arrested for participating in the protests—and called for an end to the growing privatization of Morocco’s education system. The group’s demands also included urgent action to increase health care spending and hire more medical workers, citing government reports warning of severe staffing and funding shortages.
Protesters’ frustration has been fueled by recent tragedies and long-standing inequalities. The movement erupted after eight pregnant women died at a hospital in Agadir, a stark illustration of the country’s overstretched health system. In the months since, public outrage has only intensified, especially after another woman died in the same hospital. Overcrowded classrooms, high youth unemployment (particularly among those aged 15 to 24), and the visible neglect of rural regions have all contributed to the sense of crisis.
Yet, as demonstrators demand more investment in basic services, many have also voiced anger over Morocco’s lavish spending on infrastructure for the upcoming 2030 FIFA World Cup. Chants decrying the prioritization of stadiums over hospitals and schools have become common at rallies. “There should be no contradiction or competition between major national projects and social programs, as both share the same goal: developing the country and improving the living conditions of citizens wherever they may be,” King Mohammed VI insisted in his address, seeking to reconcile these competing priorities.
Still, the king’s remarks left many protesters underwhelmed. While his speech mirrored their concerns about regional disparities and the need for social justice, it offered no indication that their core demands—such as the resignation of Prime Minister Akhannouch or the launch of new corruption investigations—would be met. After livestreaming the speech to thousands of followers on Discord, members of Gen Z 212 expressed disappointment, though some acknowledged that the king’s acknowledgment of rural poverty and regional inequities resonated with them.
The protests themselves have not been without consequence. According to Al Jazeera and local Moroccan media, violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces in cities like Oujda and the outskirts of Agadir have resulted in numerous injuries and at least three deaths. Since September 27, 2025, authorities have arrested hundreds of participants, with more than 400 people detained for vandalism linked to the protests. Rights groups have criticized the government’s response as heavy-handed, and 66 individuals are reportedly facing charges in northern Morocco alone.
Government officials have attempted to strike a conciliatory tone. Mustapha Baitas, a government spokesperson, publicly called for dialogue with Gen Z 212 ahead of the king’s speech, stating, “The message has been received.” He emphasized that authorities were “accelerating projects,” particularly in health care, in response to the mounting public pressure. However, for many young Moroccans, such assurances have done little to restore trust in the government. “We no longer have confidence in the government. We’re waiting for the king to talk to us, he has to save his people,” said Raghd, a 23-year-old engineer, in an interview with AFP at a protest in Rabat.
Activists and civil society organizations have long criticized Morocco’s education policy, especially the goal of having 20% of students educated in private schools. They argue that this deepens inequality, as wealthier families can afford private institutions while public schools remain overcrowded and underfunded. The Gen Z 212 letter called for a reversal of this trend, demanding more resources for public education and an end to privatization.
The current wave of protests is not without precedent. In 2017, Morocco’s north was rocked by demonstrations over similar issues of inequality and government accountability. At that time, King Mohammed VI also used his parliamentary address to rebuke politicians for failing to communicate policies effectively and for not doing their jobs. In July of this year, he warned that Morocco could not become a “two speed country,” a phrase that has since become a rallying cry for many in the streets.
As the country grapples with these challenges, the question remains: will the king’s call for action spur real change, or will the demands of Morocco’s youth continue to echo unanswered through its cities and towns? With more protests expected and the Gen Z 212 movement showing no signs of slowing down, the coming weeks will likely prove decisive for Morocco’s political future and its social contract.
For now, the message from both the palace and the protesters is unmistakable: the time for delay has passed, and the country’s leaders must confront the realities of inequality, youth frustration, and urgent public needs head-on.
