MK254
JF-Expert Member
- May 11, 2013
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Vijana wa Morocco wameingia barabarani, wanakiwasha, ifahamike hawa vijana wa Gen Z huwapumbazi kwa chochote, hata utumie dini hawatakuskliza, boresha uchumi na mifumo tu basi................
A lot seems to be riding on a speech by Morocco’s King Mohammed VI before politicians on Friday, to mark the opening of a new legislative year, as protests that began at the end of September show little sign of abating. The king will address the Houses of Representatives and Councillors to kickstart the last legislative year before general elections in 2026, which will usher in a new government. Not a moment too soon, suggest many of the mainly young protesters.
They have taken to the streets in towns and cities across the country over successive nights in their thousands, demanding political and economic reforms—not least in health, education, and employment. Some ministers are sympathetic, but Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch has said dialogue—not protests—is the way forward. The demonstrators are calling for a reassessment of public policy programmes.
Despite an average economic growth rate of 4%, young demonstrators say they have seen little benefit from this in the areas that matter most to them. Although the country is investing in modern infrastructure, the unemployment rate has climbed above 12%. Moreover, the focus of that infrastructure investment—such as a reported $5bn spent on a giant new football stadium in preparation for Morocco's co-hosting of a major tournament in 2030—has enraged the youth, who want the money to be spent on hospitals and schools instead.
Protests have been held in several Moroccan cities under the slogan: “The people want to bring down corruption.” They are being led by an anonymous and previously unknown youth movement called Gen Z-212, short for Generation Z, the nickname given to people born roughly from the mid-1990s to the early 2010s. Protests are organised on social media platforms, such as Discord, Instagram, and TikTok. Gen Z-212 has more than 160,000 Moroccan followers on Discord.
The protesters are typically aged 15-28, and most protests have been peaceful. Among the chants are “No World Cup, health comes first” and “We want hospitals, not football stadiums”. Those protesting are generally tech-savvy, have no declared political, ideological, or religious affiliation, and are deeply engaged with issues such as education, healthcare, the environment, social justice, and global peace.
AFPA youth-led demonstration demanding improvements in the health and education sectors takes place in a market in Rabat on September 29, 2025.
en.majalla.com
A lot seems to be riding on a speech by Morocco’s King Mohammed VI before politicians on Friday, to mark the opening of a new legislative year, as protests that began at the end of September show little sign of abating. The king will address the Houses of Representatives and Councillors to kickstart the last legislative year before general elections in 2026, which will usher in a new government. Not a moment too soon, suggest many of the mainly young protesters.
They have taken to the streets in towns and cities across the country over successive nights in their thousands, demanding political and economic reforms—not least in health, education, and employment. Some ministers are sympathetic, but Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch has said dialogue—not protests—is the way forward. The demonstrators are calling for a reassessment of public policy programmes.
Despite an average economic growth rate of 4%, young demonstrators say they have seen little benefit from this in the areas that matter most to them. Although the country is investing in modern infrastructure, the unemployment rate has climbed above 12%. Moreover, the focus of that infrastructure investment—such as a reported $5bn spent on a giant new football stadium in preparation for Morocco's co-hosting of a major tournament in 2030—has enraged the youth, who want the money to be spent on hospitals and schools instead.
Protests have been held in several Moroccan cities under the slogan: “The people want to bring down corruption.” They are being led by an anonymous and previously unknown youth movement called Gen Z-212, short for Generation Z, the nickname given to people born roughly from the mid-1990s to the early 2010s. Protests are organised on social media platforms, such as Discord, Instagram, and TikTok. Gen Z-212 has more than 160,000 Moroccan followers on Discord.
The protesters are typically aged 15-28, and most protests have been peaceful. Among the chants are “No World Cup, health comes first” and “We want hospitals, not football stadiums”. Those protesting are generally tech-savvy, have no declared political, ideological, or religious affiliation, and are deeply engaged with issues such as education, healthcare, the environment, social justice, and global peace.
Morocco’s Gen Z takes to the streets demanding change
Protests led by young Moroccans have caused shudders across a normally stable political establishment. The billions being spent on stadiums could be better spent on hospitals, they say.
en.majalla.com