Morocco’s Youth Ignite Economic Rebellion Against Government Titan

In a widely circulated poster on X, Instagram and TikTok, with the caption "مقاطعة اقتصادية من أجل العدالة" ("Economic boycott for justice"), GenZ 212 is calling for a boycott of all companies and brands associated with the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch. This boycott campaign targets Afriquia Gaz, Akwa, Oasis Café, Mini Brahim, Aspen, Oxygen, Yan&One, Aksal Group, Fairmont Hotel, Aujourd’hui Le Maroc, Lavie Éco. This post concludes with the following words: "Here are some of Akhannouch’s companies and investments. Boycott them and let’s see the result."

In 2018, a similar campaign had targeted companies associated with the businessman Akhannouch, such as Afriquia, Centrale Danone and Sidi Ali. At the time, this had caused a major economic and political crisis. It remains to be seen whether the impact will be the same this time.

Since September 27, "Gen Z 212" has been organizing demonstrations in many Moroccan cities. The origin of these social protests was the death in the public hospital in Agadir of eight pregnant women admitted for caesarean sections. 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 disturbances are the most significant since the Arab Spring protests of 2011, which prompted King Mohammed VI to delegate certain powers to Parliament. They are also the most violent since the 2016 protests in the Rif region.