Two Killed as Morocco's Gen Z Protests Turn Deadly

October 3, 2025

Morocco has recorded its first fatalities since nationwide youth-led protests erupted over the weekend, with at least two people killed after police opened fire to prevent demonstrators from storming a police station in Lqliaa, near the coastal city of Agadir.

"Stadiums Are Here, But Where Are the Hospitals?"

The deaths mark a dramatic escalation in the Gen Z protests that began on Saturday, driven by growing anger over the government's decision to prioritize building football stadiums for the 2030 FIFA World Cup over improving public services and addressing the economic crisis.

"Stadiums are here, but where are the hospitals?" has become a rallying cry among the young protesters, who have organized under the banner GenZ 212 , a reference to Morocco's international dialing code.

State media reported that police opened fire "in legitimate self-defence" on Wednesday evening to repel an "attack" on the police station in Lqliaa. However, protest organizers have distanced themselves from the violence, stating that their movement, which rallies primarily through social media and lacks formal leadership, remains committed to peaceful demonstrations.

Economic Crisis Fuels Unrest

The protests are fueled by dire economic statistics. Morocco's unemployment rate stands at 12.8%, but youth unemployment has soared to 35.8%, with 19% of graduates unable to find work, according to Reuters.

One demonstrator from Oujda, on the border with Algeria, told BBC Newsday that his local hospital was like a "jail"—dirty and requiring patients to bribe security officers and nurses to see a doctor. The protester spoke anonymously, fearing reprisals.

Widespread Protests and Government Response

The unrest has spread to major cities including the capital Rabat, commercial hub Casablanca, port city Tangier, and tourist destination Marrakesh, where protesters reportedly burned a police station.

Interior ministry spokesman Rachid El Khalfi reported that 409 people have been detained nationwide, with more than 260 police officers and 20 protesters injured. Forty police vehicles and 20 private cars have been torched in the violence.

On Wednesday, the interior ministry stated that the right to protest within the law would be upheld. Morocco's governing coalition issued a statement on Tuesday expressing willingness to engage in dialogue with youth "within institutions and public spaces to find realistic solutions," while praising what it called "the balanced reaction of security authorities."

Part of a Regional Pattern

The Moroccan uprising follows similar youth-led, large-scale demonstrations this summer in Nepal, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Madagascar. The Nepal protests led to the prime minister's resignation, while Madagascar's president dissolved his government on Monday in an attempt to placate demonstrators.

The protests, which have been taking place primarily at night, reflect a growing wave of Gen Z activism across multiple continents, powered by social media organization and driven by frustration over economic hardship, corruption, and government priorities that young people view as misaligned with their needs.

Source: BBC News Africa