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Protest group GenZ 212 of Morocco said they want the government dismissed and accused it of social inequality after deaths of pregnant women.
People protest against corruption and calling for healthcare and education reform, in Casablanca, Morocco. (IMAGE: AP PHOTO)
GenZ 212, the Moroccan group that is leading protests in the North African nation, on Friday called for the government’s dismissal after protests turned violent following police action on protesters.
Security forces opened fire at demonstrators on Wednesday, killing three people in Leqliaa, a small town outside the coastal city of Agadir. Morocco’s Interior Ministry said the three were shot and killed during an attempt to seize police weapons.
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A report by news agency AFP said that the protests sparked when eight pregnant women died last month at a public hospital in Agadir.
This led to protests as demonstrators demanded action against social inequality. Those taking part in the so-called Gen Z protests also decried what they see as widespread corruption at everyday people’s expense.
An Associated Press report said that through chants and posters, they have contrasted the flow of billions in investment toward preparation for the 2030 World Cup, while many schools and hospitals lack funds and remain in a dire state.
“Health care first, we don’t want the World Cup,” has emerged as among the week’s most popular refrains on the street.
The protesters are also demanding the firing of the government on an article in the constitution that “grants His Majesty the King the power to appoint and dismiss the Prime Minister and members of the government”.
The group has largely used the Discord online messaging platform to spread its calls for protest and has repeatedly distanced itself from the violence and vandalism seen in some cities.
Though Morocco’s king is the country’s highest authority, protests in Morocco routinely focus on the government charged with carrying out his agenda. On Thursday, hundreds chanted for King Mohammed VI to intervene against the government. Crowds shouted “The people want to topple Akhannouch”.
What The Moroccan Govt Is Saying
Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch said in his first public address since the unrest started that his government was willing to “engage in dialogue” and “respond to the (protesters’) demands”.
The premier also said three people had been killed during protests the night before, describing the events as “regrettable”, while addressing Moroccans on Thursday.
Health minister Amine Tehraoui said in a speech to parliament on Wednesday that several reforms were underway but acknowledged that they were “still insufficient to close the sector’s gaps”.
About the Author
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev…Read More
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev… Read More
Rabat, Morocco
October 03, 2025, 09:22 IST
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