Morocco’s Gen Z Protests Turn Deadly: Three Killed as Security Forces Open Fire

By Dr. Michael Omoruyi, iNewsAfrica | October 3, 2025

Morocco’s simmering youth-led uprising has taken a deadly turn. At least three people have been killed since Generation Z protesters poured into the streets demanding better governance, economic opportunities, and an end to corruption.

What began as peaceful demonstrations on September 27, 2025—organized under the banners of youth movements GenZ 212 and Morocco Youth Voice—has spiraled into the country’s most significant wave of unrest in over a decade.

Rioters have looted shops and torched cars in poorer cities including Salé, across the river from Rabat © Abdel Majid/AFP/Getty Images

From Protest to Bloodshed

The deaths occurred in Leqliaa (Lqliâa), a southern town near Agadir, where clashes between demonstrators and the Royal Gendarmerie escalated into violence.

According to authorities, protesters attempted to storm a gendarmerie station and seize weapons, prompting security forces to open fire. Officials insist the shootings were acts of self-defense.

But eyewitnesses and activists paint a different picture, accusing security forces of using excessive force against largely unarmed youth frustrated by years of unemployment, poor public services, and political exclusion.

The Youth Revolution

Dubbed the “Gen Z Protests,” the demonstrations are driven by young Moroccans who feel betrayed by the state. Social media has amplified their message, with hashtags calling for reform spreading rapidly across the country.

“Moroccan youth are tired of waiting. We want dignity, jobs, and a government that listens,” said one protester in Rabat.

Over 400 demonstrators have been arrested, with reports of hundreds injured on both sides. Security forces themselves claim more than 260 personnel have been wounded in the clashes.

National and Global Reactions

The killings have sparked outrage across Morocco, fueling calls for accountability and the resignation of Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. Opposition parties and human rights groups are demanding an independent inquiry into the shootings.

International observers warn that the unrest could destabilize one of North Africa’s most strategically important nations, long seen as a bastion of stability in a volatile region.

What Lies Ahead

The protests show no signs of slowing. Organizers have already announced plans for a sixth night of demonstrations, vowing not to be silenced by fear or intimidation.

For Morocco’s Generation Z, this movement is about more than political reform—it is about a future they feel has been denied to them.

Whether the government responds with reforms or repression will determine if this moment becomes a fleeting outburst or the beginning of a new era in Moroccan politics.

About the Author

Dr. Michael O. Omoruyi is an IT specialist, educator, and author of From Grit to Grace: A Memoir of Roots, Resilience, and Reinvention. He is the founder of iNewsAfrica, a platform amplifying African and diaspora voices, and has written extensively on governance, security, and socio-economic transformation across Africa.

From Grit to Grace: A Memoir of Roots, Resilience and Reinvention