Regulation

On Wed, Sep 30, 2025, three individuals died in Morocco during protests against alleged corruption and public spending decisions. The security forces reportedly opened fire on demonstrators in Leqliaa, a town near Agadir.

According to the Moroccan Ministry of Interior, the deceased were involved in an attempt to seize police weapons. However, no witnesses have confirmed this account. The protests have led to hundreds of injuries, and approximately 1,000 individuals have been detained, as reported by the Moroccan Association for Human Rights.

Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch expressed openness to dialogue on Thu, Oct 1, 2025, to address the ongoing protests. The demonstrations have been organized by a youth group known as GenZ 212, utilizing various social media platforms.

Protesters have criticized the allocation of funds towards infrastructure for the 2030 World Cup, pointing out the lack of investment in essential services like schools and hospitals. Demonstrators have used slogans such as “Stadiums are here, but where are the hospitals?” to emphasize their concerns.

The Ministry of Interior reported significant property damage, including cars, banks, shops, and public buildings across 23 provinces. The GenZ 212 group has stated its commitment to peaceful protests and has urged participants to avoid violence, maintaining that their grievance is with the government, not security forces.

Morocco is set to host the Africa Cup of Nations later this year, and upcoming parliamentary elections in 2026 have highlighted existing economic disparities. The current protests are the most significant since the events in the Rif region in 2016 and 2017.