What is Morocco’s “Generation Z” looking for/Protests continue.
The Moroccan government has announced its readiness to hold urgent talks with representatives of the country’s youth, who have been leading the protests of the “Generation Z 212” movement for a week, demanding the fight against corruption and reforms in the education and health sectors.
Since the call for peaceful protests by the Generation Z 212 movement on social media on September 27 and 28, these protests have continued in major Moroccan cities, and the protesters are demanding the fight against corruption, prioritizing the education and health sectors, and investing in sports infrastructure in preparation for the 2026 African Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup with the participation of Spain and Portugal.
Mustafa Baytas, the official spokesman for the Moroccan government, said in this regard: “The government has extended its hand and is waiting to hold a meeting with representatives of the protesters to listen to their ideas and identify the social reforms that must be carried out quickly, and this approach shows the rapid and positive response of the Moroccan government to social demands.”
According to the report, despite calls for peaceful demonstrations, some Moroccan cities, including Oujda, Quneitra and Anzac, have witnessed violence and clashes between protesters and security forces in recent days, and the Qal’a area near Agadir witnessed shooting after some people tried to enter military and security areas, resulting in the death of three people.
Baitas says that the protesters’ demands are within the framework of the common demands of all Moroccan people, and the government is ready for quick and urgent talks with the youth. The government itself, like the protesters, is demanding reform of the health sector.
On the other hand, Said Iqdad, a member of the political bureau of the opposition “Progress and Socialism” party, called on the government to announce its resignation because it has failed to meet the demands of the youth and has not fulfilled its election promises.
He said: “Given the failure of the government’s policies, this government must assume its political responsibilities and step down because the protesters’ demands are reasonable and legitimate.”
Iqdad also criticized the government’s policies as liberal and savage, and in the service of the wealthy class.
Meanwhile, Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhnouch said in a meeting with his cabinet ministers in the country’s capital, Rabat, that the government is ready for dialogue and welcomes social demands.
He said that recent developments in various Moroccan cities have led to the injury of hundreds of security forces and damage to public and private property.
According to this report, the fire of protests in Morocco was ignited when 8 pregnant women died in the Agadir region due to medical negligence and lack of facilities, and the protests also spread to other cities.