The deadly incidents occurred in LQLiâa, near the Coaststad Agadir, where agents opened fire in a group that wanted to storm a police station. In the meantime, the unrest flares up: more than 400 people have already been arrested throughout the country. According to official sources, 263 agents and 23 civilians were injured. In many cities, stores are looted, stones are thrown and police cars set fire to.
Tiktok and Discord
‘Genz 212’ is the name of the leadless, anonymous youth movement that operates mainly via Tiktok, Instagram and the game app Discord. Slogans and posters are shared there. “The right to health, education and a worthy life is not an empty cry, but a serious requirement,” writes the movement. The message catches on with many Moroccan youth, who are internetwise living in a disadvantaged situation for years. Genz 212 points to the miserable state of schools and hospitals and the lack of investments by the government. The recent death of eight women in a public hospital in Agadir is seen as proof of the bankruptcy of the Moroccan healthcare system.
‘Genz 212’ is the name of the leadless, anonymous youth movement that operates mainly via Tiktok, Instagram and the game app Discord. © ANP/HH
The movement also acts against the widespread corruption and the inequality of opportunities. Especially in the east and south of the country, poverty is large, lanes are scarce and there are social provisions. The fact that young people in the meantime see how billions are invested in stadiums, hotels and infrastructure for the 2030 World Cup and the Africa Cup later this year, only increases the anger.
Flame in the pan
The protests started peacefully this weekend, although dozens of demonstrators have already been arrested. After that, the flame hit the pan in several cities, including in Marrakesh, Tangier and Salé. The protest is fierce in particular in the back and south of Morocco in the east and south of Morocco. Young people do not blame the government not to commit themselves to their situation. Images from local media show how in the city of Inezganane and the village of Ait Amira, near Agadir, throwing stones, set cars on fire and plunder shops.
Genz 212 demands the resignation of Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and is inspired by recent youth protests in Asian countries. In Nepal, the Prime Minister recently even had to resign after massive demonstrations. © ANP/HH
It also got out of hand in other parts of the country. In Oujda, the largest city in East Morocco, according to human rights organizations, someone was injured on Tuesday when a police car entered demonstrators. In Lqliâa, two people were eventually shot by the police. In the meantime, Genz 212 is maintaining to hold on to ‘non -violent protest’. The only question is whether the Spirit can go back into the bottle.
Asian youth protests as an example
Genz 212 demands the resignation of Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and is inspired by recent youth protests in Asian countries. In Nepal, the Prime Minister recently even had to resign after massive demonstrations.
Support for the movement is also growing in Morocco, especially now that police action is getting harder and harder. Well -known countrymen, including strongkeeper Yassine Bounou and rapper Elgrandetoto, have now served behind Genz 212.
Inheritance of earlier governments
The authorities deny that investments for the World Cup 2030 are at the expense of hospitals and schools. According to them, the problems in healthcare are a legacy of earlier governments. Today, Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch discusses possible solutions for the dire situation in the hospitals in parliament.