Moroccan protesters have called for a boycott of soccer matches in the country’s new stadiums. On Saturday, they reiterated earlier demands and called for the release of demonstrators arrested at previous Gen Z 212 protests.
After an eight-day hiatus, hundreds of young demonstrators took to the streets on Saturday to show their determination to protest against corruption and deteriorating health care and education.
In several cities, including Casablanca and Tangier, hundreds of young protesters renewed their anger at elected officials, demanding the removal of Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, who they called corrupt.
The protests, which were smaller in number, came eight days after King Mohammed VI did not directly address the Gen Z 212 protests in a speech to Morocco’s parliament. He did not touch on their demands for the release of Akhannouch, nor on the 2030 stadiums built for the FIFA World Cup. He said that national projects and social programs could develop together.
“There should be no contradiction or competition between major national projects and social programs, as both have the same goal: to develop the country and improve the living conditions of its citizens,” Mohammed VI said in a speech that many interpreted as an indirect response to protesters criticizing Morocco for prioritizing spending on sports infrastructure over social and economic projects.
On Saturday, demonstrators again chanted: “Here are the stadiums, but where are the hospitals?” and called in unison for Morocco to “boycott the stadiums”.
Protesters told the Associated Press they will boycott the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, which Morocco will host in December, in a show of disapproval. Most declined to give their names, fearing retribution for previous arrests during protests.
Angry at the disparity between public and private schools, they chanted against politicians who send their children to private schools instead of those run by their own government.
“I finished school and education, but I’m here demanding reforms for future generations,” said one protester, who said he was kicked out of classes because he couldn’t get the textbook he needed.
The protests are being led by Gen Z 212, a grassroots movement organizing demonstrations on social media platforms such as Discord, an app popular among gamers and teenagers that now has more than 200,000 subscribers. It announced protests in more than a dozen cities on Saturday after an eight-day hiatus.
Education is the focal point of their demands, especially policies to expand the number of private schools. According to government data for 2024, the number of students enrolled in private universities has increased more than sixfold since 2000.
The state audit noted teacher shortages, regional disparities and transportation problems, particularly in rural areas where public services have long been lacking.
According to government audits, measures taken by the government to improve education have not had the desired effect on school quality or student retention.
Politicians have promised to reallocate funds to health care and education to accelerate development. Finance Minister Nadia Fettah Alaoui told a World Bank meeting in Washington this week that this will be the main focus of this year’s government budget.
The Moroccan Z-led protests drew inspiration from similar movements in countries such as Nepal. After eight women died while giving birth at a public hospital in Agadir, a coastal city 296 miles (477 km) from the capital Rabat, they sparked a wave of fury that later spread across the country.
Earlier this month, protests turned violent in some cities and small towns. Police forces killed three who they said tried to storm one of their posts as many were injured and officials reported widespread vandalism.
Local media reported that more than 400 people were arrested across Morocco for vandalism related to the protests, some of whom were detained for investigation. And the Agadir court sentenced 17 defendants to a total of 162 years for vandalism.