https://arab.news/cg8cs
- Many Moroccans feel that the public health and education sectors should be improved as the kingdom pushes forward with major infrastructure projects to host the Africa Cup of Nations in December and part of the 2030 World Cup
BRUSSELS: The EU has called on “all parties” to “keep calm” in Morocco, which has been rocked by anti-corruption protests.
“We recognize the importance of youth participation in public life and call on all parties involved to keep calm,” EU foreign affairs spokesman Anouar El Anouni said in Brussels.
The group leading Morocco’s mass protests called on Friday for the government’s dismissal, following days of unrest.
The demand came after fresh demonstrations demanding reforms to the health and education sectors took place on Thursday, a sixth consecutive day of largely peaceful protests pockmarked with spates of violence.
“We demand the dismissal of the current government for its failure to protect the constitutional rights of Moroccans and respond to their social demands,” protest group GenZ 212 said.
The group, whose organizers remain unknown, also demanded the “release of all those detained in connection with the peaceful protests.”
The rallies across the usually stable country have been fueled by anger over social inequality, particularly following reports last month of the deaths of eight pregnant women at a public hospital in the city of Agadir.
Many Moroccans feel that the public health and education sectors should be improved as the kingdom pushes forward with major infrastructure projects to host the Africa Cup of Nations in December and part of the 2030 World Cup.
GenZ 212 has largely used the Discord online messaging platform to spread its calls for protest, and has repeatedly distanced itself from the violence and vandalism seen in some cities.
In the capital Rabat on Thursday, demonstrators carrying Moroccan flags demanded “health and not just stadiums,” according to journalist, who said there were no violent incidents.
Other rallies were reported in Casablanca, Marrakech and Agadir, also with no sign of unrest.
Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch said in his first public address since the unrest started that his government was willing to “engage in dialogue” and “respond to the (protesters’) demands.”