Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch said on October 2 that he was open to dialogue to end youth protests as security forces prepared for a sixth night of demonstrations that have escalated into riots across the country.
Hundreds of people have been arrested and injured, with buildings ransacked and cars torched since the protests began last week, initially with demands for better education and healthcare, Reuters reported. Though crowds have not been huge in numbers, the increasingly violent protests have brought the worst street unrest in Morocco since mass demonstrations in the Rif region in northern Morocco in 2016-2017.
A fifth night of protests on October 1 brought the first reported deaths, with authorities saying the security forces had shot and killed three youths armed with knives who were trying to steal weapons and ammunition in Lqliaa, near Agadir. The incident took place when 200 people attacked a securities forces station and injured members of security forces who first responded with tear gas and warning shots.
Akhannouch said in a statement that his government had “engaged with the demands expressed by the youth movements” and was ready “for dialogue and discussion”.
“Once again, we reiterate that a dialogue-based approach is the only path to addressing the various challenges facing our country.”
The protests have been organised by a loosely formed, anonymous youth group calling itself “GenZ 212” using online platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and the gaming app Discord.
The GenZ 212 group has denounced violence and called for new, peaceful protests in major cities. “We urge all participants to remain disciplined and ensure the peaceful nature of our actions,” the group said in a statement on Discord.
Authorities have vowed to crack down on those participating in looting or vandalism.
