An online youth collective known as Gen Z 212, which has become the driving force behind a growing protest movement in Morocco, has called for “peaceful sit-ins” to be held in major cities this Saturday, amid rising public anger over economic hardship and political stagnation.
The group — part of a wider digital coalition calling itself Sawt Al-Shabab (“Voice of the Youth”) — issued the call to action via social media on Wednesday, urging young Moroccans to take to the streets in a show of “non-violent civic resistance”.
“This is not about parties or ideologies,” read a statement on the collective’s verified X (formerly Twitter) account. “This is about dignity, justice, and a future for all Moroccans.”
Gen Z 212 — whose name references Morocco’s international dialling code — has emerged as a prominent online voice of disaffected youth. It represents a digitally savvy generation frustrated by high unemployment, limited freedoms, and a lack of political accountability.
Saturday’s action would mark the third consecutive weekend of protests, following large-scale demonstrations in Rabat, Marrakesh, Fes, and Tangier. While the protests have remained largely peaceful, police have made dozens of arrests, and human rights groups have raised alarm over the use of force to disperse crowds.
Organisers say the sit-ins will proceed as planned, with calls for calm and discipline circulating widely among supporters. Protesters are being encouraged to avoid confrontation and to maintain a peaceful presence in designated public areas.
Morocco, long considered one of the more politically stable nations in North Africa, has experienced a growing wave of unrest driven by economic grievances. Inflation remains persistently high, while youth unemployment stands at nearly 30 per cent, according to government data.
The country’s youth — especially those aged 18 to 30 — have taken to social media to express dissatisfaction with the lack of economic opportunity and perceived government indifference.
“Young Moroccans are highly educated, digitally connected, and politically aware, but they feel increasingly excluded from political life,” said Dr Leila Hammoudi, a sociologist at the University of Rabat. “Movements like Gen Z 212 are signalling a deeper crisis of trust.”
Though the Moroccan government has not officially responded to the sit-in plans, state media have criticised the protests, portraying them as “disruptive” and “influenced by foreign agendas”. Civil society groups, however, have defended the demonstrators’ right to peaceful assembly.
International observers are watching developments closely. Morocco plays a key strategic role in regional security and migration policy, and prolonged unrest could unsettle relations with European and US partners.
Despite pressure from authorities, protesters remain defiant.
“We are not afraid. We’re not here to destroy anything — just to be heard,” said Amina, a 22-year-old student from Casablanca, who plans to join Saturday’s protest. “We are the future of this country — and we won’t be silenced.”
As tensions simmer, all eyes will be on Morocco this weekend — and on whether Gen Z 212 can translate digital mobilisation into lasting political change.
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