CIVICUS speaks about Generation Z-led protests in Morocco with Hicham Missiame, a local civic observer focused on public accountability and social issues who participated in the protests.

Since late September, the youth-led Gen Z 212 movement has mobilised across Morocco demanding an end to corruption and reforms in education, employment, healthcare and the management of public funds. The state has responded with arrests and violence. Over 2,400 people have been charged in connection to the protests so far, with 1,473 in custody. Organised through platforms including Discord and YouTube, the movement rejects traditional leadership and is pushing the state to listen to young people’s demands for dignity, transparency and investment in public services.

Why are young Moroccans taking to the streets?

We are tired of a political culture where appearances matter more than substance and where decisions are made without transparency while Moroccans bear the cost. We see how elites spend billions on events like the 2030 FIFA World Cup and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the stadiums for them while schools crumble, hospitals lack basic supplies and many young people struggle to find decent jobs.

We are taking to the streets to demand genuine and serious reforms that put people first: better education, accessible healthcare, real job opportunities and a firm stand against corruption and the misuse of public funds. We aren’t rejecting the state in itself; we are reclaiming it. We want a government that listens, serves and invests in its people. At its core, this is a call for dignity, justice and a fair share of Morocco’s future.

Who’s leading these protests, and how are they organised?

No party, public figure or union is behind this mobilisation. The Gen Z 212 movement is fully decentralised, horizontal and transparent. Although some state-affiliated outlets claim foreign countries are involved, this is simply false. This is a grassroots movement shaped by our experiences of corruption, inequality and lack of opportunities.

We coordinate through a public Discord server where thousands vote on proposals, plan actions and discuss peaceful strategies. Every city has its own channel, which makes local coordination possible while also keeping a unified vision across the country.

We also organise daily podcasts and open forums where journalists, former politicians and professors explain civic rights, political processes and strategies for non-violent mobilisations. All conversations are recorded and uploaded to our YouTube channel so the public can follow, verify and take part in shaping the movement’s ideas.

How have authorities responded so far?

Authorities have met the protests with force. Security forces moved into multiple cities to disperse peaceful gatherings, often using aggressive tactics that injured people and led to many arrests. Some of those detained, including minors, now face legal proceedings even though the evidence against them is weak or insufficient.

These protests exposed a deep problem: Morocco lacks strong institutions to protect citizens’ rights, hold officials accountable and maintain transparent communication. In the early days of the mobilisation, national TV and radio barely covered the protests, which only fuelled public mistrust. Government statements arrived late and ignored the urgency of our demands. Only when public pressure grew did media outlets host televised debates with civil society, including students, but by then, much of the damage had already been done.

What role have civil society organisations played in supporting this movement?

Civil society groups have been crucial in making the protests visible and exposing human rights violations. Organisations including the International Commission of Jurists and the Moroccan Association for Human Rights closely monitored events from the start, documenting arrests, excessive use of force and violations of procedural rights.

Independent journalists have also played a key role, reporting from the streets and sharing real-time updates, testimonies and videos that ensured the public – and the world – could follow events as they unfolded. Many faced detention and harassment for doing their work, showing the challenges and risks of reporting the truth in such a context.

Artists, writers and public figures have also helped amplify our voices, turning our demands into messages that reach broader audiences. By highlighting the economic, political and social grievances driving the protests, they have helped the public understand better the movement.

Overall, civil society has been instrumental in sustaining the movement’s visibility, legitimacy and capacity to influence public debate.

What needs to happen to address the underlying grievances driving these protests?

Morocco can’t move forward without addressing the root causes that pushed us to the streets. While the recent decision to increase the education and health budget to 140 billion dirhams (approx. US$15 billion) is a positive step, it cannot replace the structural reforms people are demanding.

The government needs to rebuild public trust by being transparent about how it spends money and letting independent bodies monitor spending, expose corruption and hold officials accountable. It must also confront its past failures: where abuse of power or corruption has occurred, impartial investigations should be launched and those responsible must face real consequences.

Authorities also need to investigate cases where protesters were detained without justification, injured or mistreated. A country can’t build a stable future unless these violations are properly addressed and wrongdoers are held accountable.

The government needs to engage in genuine, inclusive dialogue with youth movements, wider civil society and local communities. These conversations must go beyond symbolic meetings and lead to real reforms. Strengthening institutions, improving public services and upholding the rule of law are key to preventing abuse of power and rebuilding public trust.

Only by taking these steps can Morocco address public anger and create the conditions for lasting and meaningful democratic reform.