Morocco has reported its first deaths from youth-led protests over poor public services and heavy spending on preparations for the 2030 men’s soccer World Cup.
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Officers of the Royal Gendarmerie killed two people and wounded an unspecified number of others on Wednesday after they “were forced” to repel attackers suspected of trying to steal their weapons and ammunition in the southern town of Lqliaa, near Agadir, the state news agency MAP said.
The development came during a fresh bout of protests that escalated into clashes with security forces in several towns and cities late Wednesday.
The deepening unrest mirrors recent “Gen Z” protests in countries such as Nepal and Madagascar, where President Andry Rajoelina dismissed his government this week following days of turmoil.
The Moroccan Interior Ministry earlier said at least 263 members of the security forces and 23 civilians were hurt in protests across 17 cities the previous night. Some 409 people were taken into police custody, it added.
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Upheaval on this scale is rare for Morocco, an investor favourite that has been seen as a beacon of stability in the Middle East and North Africa. It coincides with government plans to spend an estimated US$35 billion on infrastructure, including facilities for co-hosting the World Cup with Spain and Portugal.