Fatal Clashes Erupt in Morocco: Two Killed as Gen Z Protests Escalate Over Economic Woes and World Cup Spending

Protests led by Morocco’s youth have turned deadly, with at least two individuals confirmed killed after police opened fire on demonstrators. The fatalities mark a significant escalation in the Gen Z-led unrest that has swept across the nation, fueled by anger over the government’s priorities amidst a severe economic crisis.

The killings occurred on Wednesday evening in Lqliaa, near the coastal city of Agadir, when police reportedly fired to prevent protesters from storming a police station. State media cited police claims of “legitimate self-defence” against an “attack.” These are the first reported deaths since the widespread youth protests began across Morocco on Saturday.

The demonstrations, spearheaded by the GenZ 212 movement (named after Morocco’s international dialling code), initially erupted over the government’s decision to invest in football stadiums for the 2030 Fifa World Cup. Protesters argue that these funds should instead be directed towards improving critical public services and addressing the nation’s high unemployment rate, which stands at 12.8% nationally and a staggering 35.8% for youth.

Eyewitnesses describe a dire situation, with one protester from Oujda likening his city’s hospital to a “jail” where patients allegedly bribe staff for care. Chants like “Stadiums are here, but where are the hospitals?” have become a popular rallying cry.

While organizers of the GenZ 212 movement, which largely mobilizes through social media without a formal leadership, have distanced themselves from the violence, unrest has spread beyond Lqliaa. Police and private vehicles have been torched in various cities, including the capital Rabat, commercial hub Casablanca, port city Tangier, and tourist hotspot Marrakesh, where a police station was reportedly burned.

The interior ministry confirmed 409 arrests nationwide following the unrest, with over 260 police officers and 20 protesters injured. Additionally, 40 police vehicles and 20 private cars have been torched. The ministry had earlier affirmed the right to protest within legal limits.

In response to the growing crisis, Morocco’s governing coalition issued a statement on Tuesday expressing a willingness to engage in dialogue with the youth to find “realistic solutions,” while also commending the “balanced reaction of security authorities.” These protests echo similar youth-led uprisings seen recently in Nepal, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Madagascar, highlighting a broader regional trend of public discontent.

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