Moroccan Youth Uprising Sparks Nationwide Unrest, US Embassy Issues Warning

Since Saturday, September 27, the Moroccan youth movement "GenZ 212" has been organizing demonstrations in the cities of Tiznit, Inzegane and Ait Amira, in the south of the country, as well as in the city of Oujda, in the east, and in Temara, near the capital Rabat. The demands of this movement mainly concern issues of education, health, employment and social justice. The death at the public hospital in Agadir of eight pregnant women admitted for caesarean sections is at the origin of the triggering of these social protests. The unrest has resulted in 3 deaths and 400 injuries across the country. Isolated incidents of looting and arson have been reported in some cities.

These protest gatherings are worrying the US Embassy in Rabat. It warns against the risks of traffic disruptions and road closures, as well as the unpredictability of crowds. It recommends that American citizens "remain vigilant", avoid gathering areas and carry identification documents at all times. "Security forces may make arrests or attempt to disperse crowds forcefully," the security notice states.

The American diplomatic representation in Morocco calls on travelers to "follow the instructions of local authorities" and "monitor local media for updates".