Description: Morocco’s Gen Z protests have entered their fourth day as the young population in the country protested against corruption, dire living conditions and the decadent healthcare system. The protests spread across several cities in the country such as Ait, Amira, Inezgane, Agadi and Tiznit as well as Oujda in the eastern parts of the country. The protests were focused on demonstrating public disapproval with the government’s decision to dedicate most of its infrastructure budget towards the development of the football stadiums for the World Cup in 2030, while ignoring elementary socio – economic issues such as the devastating state of the country’s healthcare system and its hospitals. The protests have been organized by an anonymous group calling itself GenZ 212 which has so far emerged on social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Discord. The unrest resulted in the arrest of more than 400 people, while approximately 20 protesters and more than 260 members of the security forces were reported to have been injured.
Impact: The social phenomenon of Gen Z protests is starting to undertake large number of countries facing desperate conditions on several socio – economic spectrums. The Moroccan youth’s dissatisfaction is aimed primarily at the government’s policies of infrastructural development that exclude investments in the country’s healthcare system. The government’s response has so far been limited with distractions such as the fact that they inherited the dire economic situation by the previous government and pledges to discuss the issues with the protesters in the domain of the public space. Government officials are expected to meet on Thursday, 02 Oct, to discuss immediate remedies for the situation, which tips the crisis in the direction towards a potential resolution. Protests would persist over the short to mid – term period, as the protesters are yet to establish a stable channel of communication with the government. The repressive measures by the security forces could further embolden the demonstrators and turn the protests even more violent.