Youth Protests Turn Deadly in Morocco as Calls for Reforms Intensify

Fri Oct 03 2025 02:15:10 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In the wake of recent youth-led protests against government spending priorities, two individuals have been reported killed by police in Morocco. These protests have escalated in various cities, highlighting deep-seated frustrations over public services and a rising economic crisis.

Morocco has witnessed its first fatalities linked to protests against government priorities, as police opened fire to disperse demonstrators in Lqliaa. The unrest reflects widespread youth dissatisfaction over investments in sports infrastructure at the expense of public services, amid high unemployment rates. Following the violent outbreaks, the government has expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with youth activists.

At least two people have been killed in Morocco after police opened fire to prevent protesters from storming a police station in Lqliaa, near the coastal city of Agadir, according to reports from state media.

These deaths mark the first lethal incidents tied to the large-scale youth-led protests that erupted over the weekend, driven by rising anger at the government's decisions to allocate funds towards constructing football stadiums for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, rather than improving essential public services and addressing the ongoing economic crisis.

The protests have been marked by chants such as Stadiums are here, but where are the hospitals? emphasizing the frustrations of the youth, particularly in relation to the quality of healthcare. One protester from Oujda likened visits to the local hospital as akin to entering a prison, citing cleanliness issues and the necessity of bribing staff for medical attention.

The protests have predominantly occurred at nighttime, prompting police to defend themselves amid claims of an assault in Lqliaa as reported by state-owned news agencies. The government officials, however, reaffirmed their commitment to uphold the right to lawful protests.

Organizers of the movement, known as GenZ 212—which references Morocco's international dialing code—have distanced themselves from the acts of violence. They are a predominantly online collective without an established leadership structure, demonstrating mainly via social media platforms. Notably, the unemployment rate in Morocco stands at 12.8%, with youth unemployment soaring to 35.8% among graduates.

These protests have reached other cities as well, including the capital Rabat, Casablanca, and Tangier, with protests in Marrakech seeing the burning of a police station. In response to the unrest, the interior ministry disclosed that over 400 individuals have been arrested, with significant injuries reported among both police and protesters.

This uprising resonates with similar movements earlier this summer in countries like Nepal and Madagascar, where youth protests resulted in significant political changes. Morocco's government has expressed readiness to engage with youth in discussions aimed at finding realistic solutions to their grievances.