“ We need hospitals more than football stadiums ”

Morocco is currently building what will be the largest football stadium in the globe in preparation for co-organization of the 2030 World Cup.

But for demonstrators who have come down to the streets every night through the country since last Saturday, this centerpiece of 115,000 inhabitants and all other development football infrastructures, costing $ 5 billion (3.7 billion pounds sterling), are an affront – an example of a government that has hurt the priorities.

“I protest because I want my country to be better. I don’t want to leave Morocco, and I don’t want to feel my country to have chosen to stay,” said Hajar Belhassan, a 25 -year -old communications director, 80 km (50 miles) south of Casablanca.

A group called Gen Z 212 – The number is a reference to the country’s international numbering code – has coordinated demonstrations via the game and streaming platform, as well as Tiktok and Instagram.

Apparently, inspired by the recent manifestations of the Gen Z of Nepal, young Moroccans want the authorities to act with the same emergency and the same passion when it comes to solving these problems by organizing one of the first sporting events in the world.

From September 27 with demonstrations in 10 cities, the crowd was built throughout the week, singing slogans such as: “No World Cup, health comes first” and “we want hospitals and not football stadiums”.

Police responded with apparently arbitrary mass arrests and, in certain places, things have become violent, which resulted in the death of three demonstrators.

Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch said Thursday that he was open to dialogue, but the movement without leader has committed to continuing until there is a concrete change.

A list of their requests has been shared on social networks. They include:

• Free and quality education for all
• Public care accessible for everyone
• Decent and affordable accommodation
• Better public transport
• Reduce prices and subsidize basic products
• Improve wages and pensions
• Offer employment possibilities to young people and reduce unemployment
• Adopt English as the second language instead of French (after Arabic)

The anger had grown up, but what galvanized the movement was death for several days in mid-September of eight women in a maternity hospital in the city of southern Agadir. Some reports have been reported that deaths could have been prevented if there had been better care, appropriate equipment and enough medical staff.

In 2023, it was estimated that there were 7.8 doctors for 10,000 Moroccans, well below the recommendation of the World Health Organization of 23 for 10,000.

After reading demonstrations on social networks and inspired by a friend, Ms. Belhassan decided to join Monday.

The day before, this friend had sent her videos of a demonstration to Casablanca in which she participated and Ms. Belhassan immediately downloaded them to her social media accounts.

Then his friend called to say that her brother had been arrested. He was only released the early hours of the next morning. This, says Ms. Belhassan, is what pushed her to go to the streets.

“We make reasonable and basic requirements. Health and education are necessities that should already be prioritized,” she told BBC in a passionate voice.

“It breaks my heart to see young people, educated and peaceful people confronted with arbitrary arrests.”

When Ms. Belhassan came out, she noticed that the police were trying to prevent people from gathering and making arrests.

She says she was afraid of establishing visual contact with the police in case she attracts their attention.

“I was afraid for my security but I always got out,” she said.

On Wednesday, the spokesman for the Interior Ministry, Rachid El Khalfi, said that 409 people had been detained to this point.

He also announced in a press release that 260 police officers and 20 demonstrators were injured and 40 police vehicles and 20 private cars were burnt down in violent clashes.

Hakim, twenty-three, (not his real name) was one of those who are arrested.

He said he went out in the streets of Casablanca to protest peacefully but found himself in a police cell with around 40 people.

“This government has abused their power too much,” said Hakim. “My father had a stroke there is a little. If we had no money to have him treated in a private hospital, he would be dead. What I earn from a country that does not provide health care to my aging parents or educate myself?”

He describes the state -funded education system as “far behind” which is available in the private sector.

“We deserve a worthy life,” explains Hakim. “We want to welcome the FIFA World Cup, but we want to do it with our heads held high, not hiding behind a facade.”

The police ‘response was strongly criticized by several Moroccan organizations in human rights, demonstrators and the opposition.

The Gen Z 212 demonstrations are not the first time that young Moroccans have descended into the street.

Many online commentators have drawn parallels with the violent riots of 1981 of the country, where those who died became known as the martyrs of bread while they protested the outbreak of the price of basic food. A 2004 commission appointed by the king to investigate the previous violations of the country’s human rights checked 114 deaths, but did not reveal how they died. Repairs were then made to victims of human rights violations and families of deceased.

The country has seen other movements led by young people, especially in 2011 and 2016.

The events of 2011 were part of the greatest Arab Spring and led to the reform of the Constitution through a national referendum called by King Mohamed VI.

For the first time in the history of Morocco, the monarch strengthened the role of the government by giving up the executive power to the Prime Minister and the Parliament. The king remains the head of state, legitimate military and religious affairs, holding the power to appoint and withdraw ministers if necessary.

What makes Gen Z 212 different is that those who demonstrate say that they are not linked to a political party and do not seem to have a formal structure.

“We are not a political movement. We do not have a leader,” said Ms. Belhassan.

“This may be why the police arrested people and why the government has silenced – because, in their eyes, we did not follow the traditional path of political organizations and parties.”

But there is some concern about violence.

On the night of October 1, three demonstrators died in the city of LQLIAA after people tried to provide a police station. Local authorities said the security forces opened fire after demonstrators tried to start fire and steal weapons at the station, and then released video surveillance to refute emerging online false stories.

The demonstrators condemned the riots and looting that occurred in certain areas and organized cleaning groups. They also repeatedly called for peace and dialogue, but it seems that they are not convinced by the Prime Minister’s apparent will to speak.

On Friday, calls began to emerge so that the king dissolves the government. It can be a step too far, but the demonstrators do not seem to be in a mood to go back.

In 2030, the demonstrator Ms. Belhassan said that “of course” the Moroccans “are delighted to welcome the World Cup”.

“We love football, it is in our blood. But we miss the foundations. Of course, build stages, but also build our education and health systems. Take care of our people.”