Generation Z announces the continuation of its protests in Morocco

SadaNews - The "Generation Z 212" youth movement in Morocco has revealed that it will resume its demonstrations next Saturday across the kingdom, aiming to improve health and education services and calling for the release of "political prisoners," following a previous decision to suspend protests.

In a statement published by the movement, which does not disclose the identities of its members, on Discord, it stated: "We announce the organization of peaceful protest gatherings in most cities of the kingdom on Saturday."

The statement called on all youth and citizens to participate widely in these gatherings to achieve their just demands.

The movement emphasized the importance of "the right to quality education and adequate health for all," alongside the necessity of "fighting corruption" and considering "the immediate release of all political prisoners participating in peaceful protests as a top priority." It also mentioned the launch of a "campaign to boycott products," without providing additional details.

The movement's daily protests, which lasted for about two weeks before being suspended last Saturday, initially faced a ban from the authorities followed by permission to demonstrate, with participation ranging from dozens to hundreds of youth in several cities, and at times there were clashes with the police resulting in the deaths of three people.

Notably, the movement began its activities on Discord in mid-September to discuss health and education issues, following the incident of the death of eight pregnant women in a public hospital in Agadir, southern Morocco.

The Moroccan government renewed its readiness for dialogue with "Generation Z 212" on Thursday, while the movement demanded the resignation of the government.

King Mohammed VI in a speech on Friday called for accelerating development programs to provide job opportunities for youth and improve the health and education sectors, stressing the need to address regional disparities.

The youth and women continue to be the most affected by unemployment and the disparities in health and education services between the public and private sectors in Morocco, where social and regional inequalities pose a significant challenge. The latest official data indicates that seven out of twelve regions recorded growth rates lower than the national rate of 3.7% in 2023.