Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch has appealed for dialogue to end days of youth-led protests that have spiralled into the country’s worst street unrest in years.
Security forces braced for a sixth night of demonstrations on Thursday, after riots spread across several cities. Since Saturday, hundreds of people have been arrested and injured, with shops looted, cars set ablaze, and public buildings vandalised.
The protests, organised online by the anonymous youth collective “GenZ 212,” began with demands for better education and healthcare but have escalated into violent clashes. Membership of the group’s Discord channel surged from 3,000 last week to over 150,000 by Thursday.
On Wednesday, three young men armed with knives were shot dead by security forces during an attack on a police station in Lqliaa, near Agadir, officials said. Authorities reported that 200 people stormed the facility, injuring officers, prompting the use of tear gas, warning shots, and ultimately live fire.
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Akhannouch said his government was engaging with the protesters’ demands but insisted that “dialogue is the only path” to resolve grievances. The GenZ 212 group has distanced itself from the violence, urging followers to remain peaceful during further protests planned for Thursday night.
The interior ministry said 70% of those involved in vandalism were minors. By Thursday, 640 people had been injured, including 589 security personnel, while 413 police vehicles and 195 private cars were damaged. Adults are in custody, and minors have been placed under protective measures.
The violence has begun to erode sympathy for the protests. “I used to support their demands for education and health … but after I saw this fire, I am wondering how can this serve their demands?” said Fatima, 54, outside a torched bank in Sale, near Rabat.
Morocco’s credit default swap widened to 84 basis points on Thursday, its highest since June, reflecting investor concerns. The unrest came less than a week after S&P upgraded Morocco’s credit rating to BBB-/A-3, citing strong economic management.
