Morocco's Unrest Claims First Lives Amid Youth Protests

Sat Oct 11 2025 06:02:43 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

At least two individuals have died in clashes as protests against the government's priorities escalate in Morocco, raising concerns over ongoing youth unrest across the nation.

The recent protests in Morocco, driven primarily by Generation Z, have resulted in the first fatalities as police intervened during demonstrations against the government's focus on building stadiums for the 2030 FIFA World Cup instead of addressing pressing public service issues. Amid growing unrest, the protests have spread from coastal areas to major cities, alongside rising youth unemployment rates.

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, state media reports.

These are the first deaths reported since large-scale protests erupted across Morocco on Saturday, fueled by frustration over the government's decision to prioritize construction of football stadiums for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, while public services and economic issues remain unaddressed. "Stadiums are here, but where are the hospitals?" has become a popular slogan among the youth demonstrators.

One protester from Oujda described the city's hospitals as comparable to prisons, citing allegations of unsanitary conditions and the need for bribes just to see a doctor.

The protests have primarily occurred at night, and police claimed their use of force was to defend against an "attack" in Lqliaa, according to the state-owned news agency.

The leaders of the youth movement known as GenZ 212, which organizes demonstrations mainly through social media, have distanced themselves from any violence, emphasizing their lack of formal leadership.

Morocco's official unemployment rate is recorded at 12.8%, with youth unemployment soaring to 35.8% among the young population, exacerbating the tensions that have led to the unrest seen in cities like Rabat, Casablanca, and Tangier. Reports indicate that in Marrakech, protesters have set a police station ablaze.

Interior ministry spokesman Rachid El Khalfi reported the detention of 409 individuals due to the unrest, with over 260 police officers and 20 protesters injured. Various vehicles were also torched during these demonstrations.

Historically, the unrest in Morocco mirrors similar youth-led protests observed globally, as seen in Nepal, Indonesia, and Madagascar earlier this summer, where youth mobilization led to substantial political changes.

The Moroccan governing coalition has expressed its willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue with the youth to address their concerns, while praising the police's response as lawful.