NEWS & POLITICS
Moroccan youths protest against government neglect and World Cup spending
Thousands of young Moroccans took to the streets of major cities this week, denouncing the government's neglect of essential services, including education and healthcare, while condemning its lavish spending on preparations for the 2030 FIFA Men's World Cup, which the country is set to co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Staff Writer 
RABAT, Morrocco, Sept.28 (Running Africa) - Demonstrations held by a collective identifying as "GenZ212” drew out protesters in major cities, including Agadir, Casablanca, Marrakech, and Rabat. The crowds advocated for reduced government spending and an end to rampant corruption.
Police later said they arrested at least 200 youths linked to the protests, making it one of the largest demonstrations the country has witnessed in recent years.
The general sense of anger was largely fueled by the government's massive expenditure on the forthcoming 2030 FIFA World Cup, including over $35 billion in infrastructure development— a $75 million 68,500-capacity stadium in Rabat and a nearly $400 million facility in Tangier, recently launched by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, according to Bloomberg.
Image: Image: rfi.fr/en/africa
The movement, primarily mobilized and organized through TikTok and Discord, spotlights the growing discontent among the nation's youth. On Tuesday, the coalition government released a statement expressing its inclination to engage in dialogue with the protesters, "within institutions and public spaces to find realistic solutions."
