Youth unrest has gripped Morocco as young people from more than ten cities have taken to the streets, demanding better hospitals, schools and accountability.
Dozens have been arrested after police swooped on crowds in Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Tangier, and Oujda. Authorities detained youth activists for trying to chant or speak to media.
The protests were sparked in Agadir by public anger over deteriorating hospital care. That outrage quickly spread online under slogans such as “Where are the hospitals?” and “Stadiums are here, but where are the hospitals?”
Digital Networks and Leaderless Mobilization
The movement is being driven largely by youth collectives like GenZ 212 and Morocco Youth Voice. These groups use TikTok, Instagram, Discord and other platforms to mobilise without formal leadership or party structure.
One child protection advocate, Najat Anouar, was briefly arrested during an interview while investigating reports of underage arrests. She said, “I came here to investigate allegations that the under-age have been arrested and got arrested myself.”
Opposition and rights organizations have criticised what they call “systematic violence” used by security forces to block peaceful protests.
Deep Discontent: Unemployment, Health and Sport vs Services
Morocco’s youth unemployment rate stands at about 35.8 %, while the national unemployment rate is around 12.8 %. Graduates face particularly tough odds.
Protesters argue the government pours money into stadiums for the 2030 FIFA World Cup while hospitals suffer. Moroccans point to multiple deaths during childbirth in Agadir as evidence.
Despite the government’s defense that health sector issues are inherited, protesters see it as misplaced priorities — a choice to fund prestige over people.
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