Moroccan Youth Reignite Protests, Demand AFCON Boycott Amid Healthcare Crisis

The "Gen Z 212" collective of Moroccan youth is not backing down. On Saturday, hundreds of young protesters took to the streets in several cities, including Casablanca and Tangier. They once again protested against corruption and the poor quality of healthcare and education. They also once again demanded the dismissal of Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, whom they describe as corrupt. "The stadiums are there, but where are the hospitals?" the protesters chanted in unison, calling on Morocco to "boycott the stadiums". They also expressed their intention to boycott the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that will begin in Morocco in December, as a sign of disapproval, reports The Associated Press.

Education remains one of their demands, particularly policies aimed at increasing enrollment in private schools. Moroccan government data shows that the number of students enrolled in private universities has increased sixfold in the past twenty years. The protesters also denounced the disparities between public and private schools. They chanted slogans against politicians who send their children to private schools rather than those run by their own government. "I’m done with school and studies, but I’m here to demand reforms for future generations," said one protester. He recounts having been expelled from class because he could not obtain an essential textbook.

The death at the public hospital in Agadir of eight pregnant women admitted for cesarean sections is at the origin of the triggering of these social protests. The unrest has resulted in 3 deaths and 400 injuries across the country. Isolated incidents of looting and arson have been reported in some cities. More than 400 people had been arrested across Morocco for acts of vandalism related to the demonstrations. Some of them have been placed in custody for investigation. A court in Agadir has handed down a total sentence of 162 years in prison to 17 defendants for vandalism. These disturbances are the most significant since the Arab Spring protests of 2011, which prompted King Mohammed VI to delegate some powers to Parliament. They are also the most violent since the 2016 protests in the Rif region. "Gen Z 212" has seen its subscribers increase from 3,000 to over 200,000 on Discord, the platform that launched the movement.