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Protests Spread Across Morocco Over Jobs, Healthcare, and Corruption
SITUATION SUMMARY | Intelligence cut off: 14:00 BST 02 OCTOBER 2025
Youth-led demonstrations have been ongoing since 27 September across several cities in Morocco, with demonstrators demanding better education, employment opportunities, and healthcare in response to a perceived failure of government funding. Protesters have chanted slogans including “we want hospitals, not stadiums” and “the people want an end to corruption”. The protests have been organised by an anonymous online youth group, calling itself “Gen Z 212”, which has mobilised supporters through social media platforms such as Discord, TikTok, and Instagram.
Demonstrations were initially relatively peaceful, occurring across Rabat, Marrakesh, and Casablanca. On 30 September, they escalated into clashes in Tiznit, Inzegane, Ait Amira, Oujda, and Temara. In Ait Amira and Inzegane, demonstrators set several police vehicles alight and burned down a bank while protesters threw stones at security forces in Tiznit and Oujda. Security forces responded forcefully, arresting nearly 200 people and deploying water cannon in several cities. Notably, in Oujda, a protester was hit by a police minivan, with footage of the incident being widely shared across social media.
Protests continued on 1 October in several locations, including Agadir, Rabat, Tetouan, Tangier, Casablanca, and Marrakesh. At least two people were killed in Lqliâa, near Agadir, after security forces fired on protesters with live ammunition when they allegedly attempted to raid the Royal Gendarmerie Centre. According to local reporting, protesters aimed to seize the weapons, ammunition, and equipment stored inside.
The government responded with a statement stating it “listens to and understands the social demands” of the protesters and was “ready to respond positively and responsibly” to find a solution.
INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS
Public Services Crisis and Youth Unemployment Drive Morocco’s Unrest
The protests, Morocco’s largest in years, come amid widespread youth frustrations with unemployment, education, and healthcare. According to the national statistics agency, Morocco has an unemployment rate of 12.8 per cent, with youth unemployment standing at 35.8 per cent, and 19 per cent among graduates. The protests have targeted the government, which is perceived as neglecting public services while investing billions of dollars into football infrastructure ahead of hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The catalyst for the public anger was the deaths of eight pregnant women in the maternity ward of a public hospital in Agadir following caesarean operations in September, which had initially sparked smaller-scale protests. According to the World Health Organisation, Morocco has fewer than eight doctors per 10,000 people, far below the recommended 25.
The government’s appeal for dialogue is unlikely to appease protesters in the short term. The civil unrest likely constitutes a culmination of public anger after years of neglect in public services, a state of affairs unlikely to be quickly remedied. The government statement defended the security forces’ crackdown, praising the “balanced reaction of security authorities in line with relevant legal procedures”. This will highly likely further inflame the unrest, with the van ramming being widely shared across social media. The further deaths of protesters on 1 October will almost certainly add to protester anger, likely sustaining the civil unrest.
The Gen Z 212 movement, which emerged in the weeks prior, has rapidly gained traction across social media. The “212” almost certainly refers to Morocco’s country code, suggesting that organisers view themselves as part of a broader youth-driven movement. The demonstrations share key traits with other Gen Z-led protests in the region: mobilisation through online platforms, an explicitly leaderless structure, and a lack of formal ties to political parties.
These protests are highly likely inspired by similar youth movements, including the recent Nepalese unrest that overthrew the government, as well as ongoing mobilisation across Africa, notably in Kenya and, most recently, Madagascar. It is highly likely that the global surge in youth protests will lead to further civil unrest across many other African countries, where economic frustrations, such as unemployment and a rising cost of living, are similarly felt among the population, particularly Gen Z.
Travel and Safety Guidance for Morocco
- Avoid all major government buildings, universities, and police facilities in Morocco. Reassess travel to Morocco.
- Allocate additional time for all road travel in Rabat and other urban centres in Morocco.
- Plan for potential internet and communications disruptions; ensure you have emergency contacts saved on your phone and plan any potential travel routes. Emergency contacts should include the local authorities, medical facilities and any consular support. Ensure that mobile phones are charged in case of any loss of electricity.
- Closely monitor announcements from local authorities and media sources for any developments that may severely impact the local security environment.
- Avoid all areas of unrest due to incidental risks to bystanders. If caught in the unrest, travellers should move with the crowd until they find the nearest opportunity to escape. If in a vehicle, look to turn down the nearest road. If driving away is not an option, lock the vehicle and escape on foot.
- Always follow all instructions and orders from authorities. Where possible, avoid areas of active unrest and remain in a secure accommodation.
- Prolonged civil unrest can disrupt travel, especially if protesters begin targeting airports. Travellers should have contingency measures in place, including evacuation plans and reliable access to food, water and medication.
- If caught in the vicinity of a security incident, seek shelter immediately and leave the area if safe to do so. Continue to adhere to all instructions issued by authorities and obey any security cordons in place.
- If available, monitor your intelligence provider’s alerting platform and trusted local media for updates relevant to the unrest.
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