For the fourth consecutive night, anti-government protests swept across the capital of Morocco, as young demonstrators from the so-called Generation Z movement took to the streets, torching vehicles and destroying property in opposition to the government of King Muhammad VI.
Similar upheavals attributed to the self-proclaimed Generation Z movement have recently swept across South America in Peru in recent days.
Last month in Nepal, Generation Z consumed the capital of Kathmandu, burning down the parliament and storming the homes of key government officials until the ruling administration of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli was overthrown following widespread unrest.
The demonstrations in Morocco began placidly over the weekend. However, as the protests in Rabat dragged on over the course of several days, disturbances eventually became violent and destructive. Demonstrators clashed with police as they denounced the lagging social services of the prevailing government.
The movement gathered influence among young users on social media, dubbing itself “GenZ 212” and organizing disruptions throughout various cities across the country.
Demonstrators have expressed grievances over the poor health and education systems, while lamenting the high rate of joblessness among the nation’s younger generations, and accusing the ruling government of public corruption.
The group posted a statement on its Facebook page, expressing “regret over acts of rioting or vandalism that affected public or private property.”
Additionally, one of the major concerns at issue for the group is the exorbitant amount of state funds being allocated for public projects in preparation for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which is expected to be hosted by Morocco.
Rising unemployment and social inequality are some of the driving forces behind the recent demonstrations in Morocco. The nation’s very own internal statistics agency rates that unemployment among graduates sits at a staggering 35%.
Protestors have also accused Moroccan police and state security forces of assaulting demonstrators and violating their human rights.
Moroccan authorities say that dozens of agitators have been detained, resulting from the unrest.
The ruling government in Rabat has expressed its willingness to commit to dialogue with demonstrators in an effort to “find realistic solutions.”
