Morocco’s government says it is prepared to address grievances driving youth-led protests that have swept the country for a week.
Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch told a council of ministers on Thursday that the administration welcomes “dialogue and debate within institutions and public spaces.”
The statement came a day after security forces killed three people when demonstrators tried to storm a police station.
The protesters accused the government of corruption and neglecting essential public services.
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“Politicians ask people to be patient and act as good citizens, but they don’t follow the same rules,” one protester said. “They see the country boiling, yet they haven’t made a single statement.”
Demonstrators have chanted, “The stadiums are here, where are the hospitals?”, criticizing spending on World Cup stadiums while the health and education sectors deteriorate. The recent deaths of eight women in a public hospital in Agadir have become a rallying point.
Since Saturday, protests have spread, especially to eastern and southern regions that feel overlooked by development projects. Footage shows protesters throwing rocks and setting vehicles on fire.
Organisers have called for peaceful demonstrations, but tensions remain high due to heavy-handed security responses.
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Protesters insist the government must prioritise public services. “We no longer have time to waste,” one said. “State spending benefits private interests while public services suffer.”
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
