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Morocco’s Youth Protests Regain Momentum, Calls for Reform Ahead of 2025 Africa Cup
As of Sunday, October 19, protests led by the youth collective GenZ212 continued across multiple Moroccan cities, demanding better healthcare, education, and accountability in public spending ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. While authorities have tightened restrictions and detained over 600 participants, demonstrations have regained strength following a temporary pause, revealing deep frustration with inequality, corruption, and government priorities.
Morocco: GenZ212 Makes Tactical Pause in the Fight for Reforms
Morocco’s GenZ212 protest movement has mobilized hundreds of thousands of young people online and in the streets, demanding sweeping reforms to health care, education, and government accountability. After waves of nightly rallies and tragic confrontations, organizers have signaled a strategic pause, shifting the fight back to disciplined, anonymous digital debate.
Depression: Tunisia, Morocco, and Libya Among Africa’s Highest Prevalence Countries
North Africa has some of Africa’s highest depression rates: Tunisia (7.57%), Morocco (6.54%), and Libya (5.72%) all rank in the continent’s top ten according to The African Exponent (2025). Persistent economic challenges, unemployment, and regional instability have driven a surge in mental health issues—particularly among youth—with many cases still untreated due to social stigma and gaps in health services.
Morocco Boosts Russian Oil Imports Despite Sanctions
Morocco imported 188,000 tonnes of Russian petroleum in August—a jump of more than 50,000 tonnes from July—despite international sanctions, highlighting shifting energy trade across North Africa.
Northwest Africa’s Fishing Crisis Intensifies
Factories that once hummed with activity along Mauritania’s Atlantic coast now stand silent, their doors shut as fish stocks plunge and communities struggle to adapt. In Morocco, the warning signs are just as stark—sardine landings in key southern ports have nearly halved, and locals worry that they might soon face the same fate as their neighbors to the south.
Why Morocco’s Protests Aren’t Just About Youth: The Fight for Dignity and Justice
Morocco is facing its largest wave of unrest in years, with mass protests erupting across major cities demanding better hospitals, schools, and an end to corruption.
Morocco: Youth-Led Protests Spur Police Crackdown Across Moroccan Cities
Youth-led protests have spread across Moroccan cities, demanding better healthcare, education, and job opportunities. Organized online, the demonstrations have faced a heavy police presence and led to nearly 200 arrests, highlighting growing frustration over government spending on sports facilities instead of social services.
Morocco Holds Rates Steady Amid Global Uncertainty
Morocco’s central bank maintains its interest rate at 2.25%, citing steady inflation and job growth despite global uncertainty and water shortages.
Morocco’s Youth Rally for Schools, Hospitals and Jobs
Hundreds of young Moroccans rallied for better schools, hospitals, and jobs in cities nationwide, sparking clashes with police and highlighting frustration over government spending priorities.
Moroccan Activist Detained Over Controversial Social Media Post
Moroccan activist Ibtissame Lachgar has been placed in police custody following a controversial social media post that featured a slogan deemed offensive to Islam. The incident highlights the legal risks faced by human rights advocates under Morocco’s penal code, which criminalizes insulting the Islamic religion.
Morocco Wields Antidumping Measures to Shield Key Industries from Foreign Price Pressures
Morocco steps up antidumping measures to protect key industries from unfair foreign pricing.
Morocco: Villagers on Edge as Wildfire Spreads Near Tangier
Firefighters in northern Morocco are battling a rapidly spreading wildfire in Houara Forest near Tangier. The blaze threatens rural communities and raises concerns over an early and intense fire season in the region.
U.S. Trade Policy Is Accelerating China–North Africa Economic and Defense Engagement
U.S. trade tariffs are accelerating China’s push into developing economies, with North Africa emerging as a key frontier.
The Maghreb’s Response to U.S. Tariffs and Rising Chinese Influence
U.S. tariffs have not yet affected consumer spending in the Maghreb, but as the tariffs are sending shockwaves through global trade—North Africa is not insulated.
North Africa Defense: Morocco Gets Surface-to-Air Missiles, Algeria-Mauritania Sign Defense Pact
April 2025 has seen a notable series of military developments across North Africa, where rivalries and competition for influence are adding more stress.From U.S. missile sales to Morocco to new defense agreements between Algeria and Mauritania, the regional defense landscape is worrying but geopolitical competition will likely continue to exacerbate tensions.
Morocco: Two children killed in floods
Morocco is experiencing heavy rainfall resulting in floods that are causing destruction and deaths. Several regions of the country have been hit by devastating floods, claiming the lives of at least two children.
Franco-Algerian relations set to worsen over planned military maneuvers in Morocco
Algeria summoned the French Ambassador to protest the planned “Chergui 2025” Franco-Moroccan military exercises scheduled for September near the Algerian border. Tensions between the nations have escalated following France’s support for Morocco’s position on Western Sahara.
Morocco to pour $3 billion on high-speed trains ahead of World Cup 2030
Morocco is rapidly expanding its railway infrastructure ahead of co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, securing nearly $3 billion in financing for 168 new trains. Foreign companies from France, Spain and South Korea are lined up to deliver and install the trains.
Building a Road to Nowhere? Morocco’s Unfinished Push to Mauritania
Morocco is nearing completion of a 93-kilometer road linking Es-Semara to the Mauritanian border, a project touted as a boost for regional connectivity. However, with no immediate link to Mauritanian infrastructure and no confirmed plans for its extension, the road currently leads to a dead end.
Morocco Busts ‘Lions of the Caliphate’ Terror Cell After Yearlong Probe
Moroccan security services arrested 12 operatives of the so-called “Lions of the Caliphate in the Maghreb Al-Aqsa” after a yearlong investigation. Authorities say the terror cell, linked to Daesh in the Sahel, had a weapons cache in Errachidia and planned attacks in Morocco.
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