RABAT
Nearly 300 people were injured and over 400 arrested in Morocco on Tuesday during protests that marked the fourth consecutive day of demonstrations demanding reforms in the public health and education sectors.
- The Call to Protest: The unauthorized demonstrations were called by the GenZ 212 group, a recently formed collective whose organizers remain unknown.
- Violence: The protests turned violent in some cities, including Oujda and Inzegane. Interior ministry spokesman Rachid El Khalfi reported that the clashes involved protesters using knives, Molotov cocktails, and stones.
Casualties and Arrest Details
- Injuries: A total of 263 policemen were injured to varying degrees, along with 23 protesters, one of whom was hospitalized in Oujda.
- Arrests and Vandalism: El Khalfi confirmed that 409 people were detained following the unrest, during which more than 140 police vehicles and 20 private cars were set ablaze.
- Looting: He added that protesters “stormed government offices, bank branches and shops, looting and vandalizing them,” particularly in Inzegane and Oujda.
- Legal Action: Prosecutors stated that an initial group of 37 people, including three in detention, would face trial.
The GenZ 212 Group
GenZ 212, which expressed “regret” over Tuesday’s violence, describes itself as a “discussion space” focused on issues affecting all citizens, such as health, education, and fighting corruption. Social inequality remains a major issue in Morocco, characterized by sharp regional disparities and a significant gap between the public and private sectors.
