Moroccan youth organise peaceful sit-ins to pressure government

GenZ 212 is the Moroccan youth group that has shaken the country for the past two weeks with peaceful protests, with some of the demonstrations turning violent. The organisers are now asking demonstrators to join “peaceful sit-ins” to voice their demands, according to France 24 via AFP.

The movement’s organisers announced that these sit-ins will take place across most Moroccan cities on October 18th. Their goal is to structure their demands before pressuring the government to adopt their social reforms that are mainly focused on tackling corruption and the underinvestment in the healthcare and education systems.

GenZ 212 called for the Moroccan youth, as well as all citizens, to mobilise and support the movement until their demands are met. The leaders of the GenZ 212 are yet to be identified, as the group originally spread on Discord, which is a social media platform widely used by young people.

What started as an online movement calling for reforms in the Kingdom has now culminated in more than two weeks of protests that have occasionally led demonstrators to clash with the Moroccan police, resulting in the deaths of three demonstrators and the arrest of hundreds more.

The movement emerged after 8 Moroccan women died in a state-run hospital in Agadir. They were admitted for C-sections and passed away in the public health facility, which highlighted the poor condition of the country’s public infrastructure.

The organisers called for protests to temporarily halt ahead of the King’s yearly parliament speech on October 10th. During his annual address, King Mohamed VI reportedly pressured his government to accelerate social reforms, prioritise job creation for the country’s youth and promote the education and health sectors. However, Morocco’s ruler has not mentioned the protests.

On October 9th, the government reportedly reiterated their proposal to discuss with GenZ 212.

Recent demonstrations have seen weakening support with a few dozens participating in Rabat and Casablanca. Organisers seem to be doubling down on the efforts to make sure their voices are heard, as they have announced a boycott campaign without listing which companies would be affected.

AFP reporters have noticed placards held by demonstrators with the name of Afriquia. It refers to a fuel-distribution firm and a subsidiary of the Akwa Group which is partially owned by Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and his family.

With a crucial role in politics and a net worth of $1.5 billion, Akhannouch is one of the most powerful man in the North African Kingdom and he’s the country’s third richest man.

As Morocco’s youth marches in the streets to denounce the elite that’s controlling both the business and politics realms, Akhannouch seems to be the perfect target. According to Le Monde, youth protesters are putting the blame of the country’s condition on their prime minister and they demanded for his resignation throughout the movement.

Demonstrators previously criticised the government’s investments for the international sporting events that Morocco is hosting in the upcoming years. Many placards and slogans pointed out that stadiums were rising quickly from the ground but that hospitals were not being built, saying their leaders are making irresponsible investments.

France 24 via AFP, Le Monde, Maghrebi.org