By Kabiru Abdulrauf
On the streets of Morocco, a new kind of protest is unfolding. From Casablanca’s busy boulevards to the narrow alleys of Leqliaa, thousands of young people many still teenagers are taking to the streets under the banner of Gen Z 212. Their frustrations have been simmering for years, but now they have boiled over into a nationwide outcry. The spark? The government’s heavy spending on preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, even as public schools crumble and hospitals struggle to provide basic care.
Unlike older movements, this uprising is decentralized and digitally driven. TikTok livestreams, encrypted WhatsApp groups, and Instagram reels serve as both rallying cries and record-keepers. There are no single leaders to silence, and no predictable playbook for the authorities to exploit. Protesters chant slogans like “Stadiums don’t heal the sick” and “Education before celebrations”, underscoring their demand for dignity and basic rights over prestige projects.
But the government’s response has been as forceful as the protests have been innovative. In towns like Leqliaa, clashes turned violent when demonstrators stormed a gendarmerie outpost. Security forces responded with live ammunition, leaving one protester dead and dozens injured. Human rights groups have condemned the escalation, warning that Morocco risks repeating the mistakes of past crackdowns that only deepened alienation between citizens and the state.
At its heart, this revolt is about the disconnect between Morocco’s glossy global image and the daily struggles of its people. Billions spent on stadiums cannot erase the reality of overcrowded classrooms, understaffed hospitals, and high youth unemployment. Gen Z protesters see a country racing to impress the world, while ignoring the needs of its own citizens. For them, dignity is not found in World Cup bids, but in schools that work and hospitals that heal.
Whether Morocco’s leaders recognize this truth may define the nation’s future. These protests are not merely about football or funding, they are about trust, fairness, and the belief that ordinary lives matter as much as global prestige. For Morocco’s restless youth, silence is no longer an option.
