A protest in Morocco led by a group simply referred to as GenZ 212 has resulted in a few casualties, barely a week after demonstrations began.
- A protest in Morocco led by GenZ 212 has caused casualties following demands for enhanced education and healthcare.
- Two protesters died during clashes near Agadir, reportedly due to attempts to seize firearms from law enforcement.
- Peaceful protests occurred in Casablanca while violent disruptions were reported in Marrakech and other regions.
- The GenZ 212 movement, inspired by global youth-led rallies, has rapidly grown to over 130,000 participants on their Discord server.
What began as demands for better education and healthcare in Morocco from the government led to the death of two protesters in Lqliaa, near Agadir, on Wednesday night.
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The casualties resulted from a scuffle with law enforcement agents who claimed that the protesters were trying to wrestle their firearms from them.
As seen on Reuters, there were reports of violence from a youthful crowd in congested districts in Salé, close to Rabat, on Wednesday, as witnesses described that protesters threw stones at police, robbed stores, lit banks on fire, and set police cars on fire.
Some of the most serious disruptions erupted for the second night in a row in smaller communities in the Souss region near Agadir.
Resident Hassan Berkouz revealed that masked teenagers in Sidi Bibi blocked a major route and set fire to the commune headquarters.
This frenzy resulted from protests against poor hospital conditions and dilapidated school systems.
While the aforementioned regions, alongside cities like the country’s tourist hub, Marrakech, experienced rowdy demonstrations, places like Casablanca, Morocco’s commercial hub, held peaceful protests.
Much like what is happening in Madagascar, protesters are calling for a massive overhaul of the government, especially the resignation of the country’s prime minister, Aziz Akhannouch.
Current reports from local authorities indicate that a mob stormed the security forces (gendarmerie) complex. At the same time, tear gas failed to deter them, forcing security forces to defend themselves with guns, which led to the deaths and injuries recorded.
They noted that protesters used knives to set fire to a portion of the building and a car, compelling security personnel to use firearms in self-defense.
Similar youth-led rallies across the world served as inspiration for the GenZ 212 movement.
More than 130,000 people joined GenZ 212’s Discord server today, up from only 3,000 last week, demonstrating the youth-led protest movement’s explosive expansion.
Similar protest in Madagascar
According to reports on Monday, Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina dissolved his administration after a wave of major protests over chronic water and electricity shortages for nearly a week.
The decision came just days after an uprising, fueled primarily by frustrated youths wanting not only necessities but also substantial political reforms, broke out.
According to the BBC, Madagascar’s president on Monday “terminated the functions of the prime minister and the government,” and proposals for a new premier would be taken before a new government was formed.
