By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Youth-led demonstrators on Saturday clashed with police in what has been described as one of Morocco’s largest anti-government protests in recent years, condemning what they called the government’s misplaced priorities.
Hundreds of young Moroccans took to the streets of at least 11 cities across the North African nation, alleging corruption and blasting the government for pouring resources into international sporting events while neglecting health and education.
They compared the country’s struggling health care system and its huge investments in the lead-up to the 2030 FIFA World Cup, chanting slogans, including “Stadiums are here, but where are the hospitals?”
Morocco is building at least three new stadiums and renovating or expanding at least half a dozen others, preparing to co-host world largest sporting festival. It will also host the Africa Cup of Nations later this year.
Police officers in plain clothes and riot gear disrupted protests in several cities, including Rabat and Marrakech, and arrested demonstrators, including in Casablanca, Associated Press said in a report.
The protest this weekend was sparked as a result of popular anger seen earlier this year in isolated incidents throughout Morocco, including in areas still reeling from the deadly 2023 earthquake.
Unrest swelled most recently after eight women died giving birth in a public hospital in Agadir, a large coastal city 300 miles (483 kilometers) south of Rabat.
The Moroccan Association for Human Rights said dozens were arrested on Saturday, including some who were physically assaulted.
Some were freed overnight, it said, adding that the arrests “confirm the crackdown on free voices and restriction of the right to freedom of expression.”
Unlike past protests driven by unions or political parties, the leaderless movement organizing the weekend protests publicized them largely on social media platforms such as TikTok and Discord, popular among gamers and teenagers.
Two groups — “Gen Z 212” and “Morocco Youth Voices” — urged “peaceful and civilized protests” and responsible debate, even as many of their supporters voiced more militant demands.
Moroccans have been demonstrating outside hospitals in cities and rural towns to denounce the decline of public services, local outlets reported.
Officials have denied prioritizing World Cup spending over public infrastructure, saying problems facing the health sector were inherited.
