What is happening in Morocco?

Suddenly, massive demonstrations erupted in some Moroccan cities demanding education and health services. This was unfamiliar to us because the image we are used to of Morocco is a stable and quiet country, enjoying a relatively better standard of living. Therefore, what happened raised many questions and much astonishment.

The story began with a painful humanitarian incident: the death of eight women during giving birth at Al-Hassan II Hospital in Agadir. This tragedy transformed from a news item into a spark that ignited widespread protests, because people saw it not merely as a medical error, but as the embodiment of a greater crisis in health services. With the rapid spread of news across platforms, young people took to the streets, in a wave led by the post-millennial generation, or as they are called, Gen Z, a generation is accustomed to speaking without fear, and always acting outside of expectations.

Initially, their voice was an expression of simple demands: better health, suitable education, and social justice to protect their future. But some demonstrations deviated from their course, turning into confrontations with security forces, amid casualties, and scenes of violence and vandalism. And here was the fear: that the just demands would be lost amidst the chaos, and that the legitimate cry would become an entry point for scenarios nobody wants.

The experiences around us are numerous, and their lessons are clear. Anger, if not contained, can turn into chaos—which some ambitious states consider "creative chaos," but we know it to be destruction and ruin, especially when other elements and groups infiltrate to fill the void—groups that know well how to ride the wave. This is what we don't want for Morocco, which we consider a successful Arab country in its ability to maintain balance and stability.

Today, Morocco faces a historical moment: seriously listening to the youth, opening a genuine dialogue, and taking practical steps that restore confidence in the state. The demands, at their core, are not for demolition or revenge, but a searching for hope in a better future and for adequate services. This is to ensure that the issue of women's deaths does not recur, and that innocents do not die due to a lack of services in hospitals, on roads, or elsewhere. Hence, the youth of Gen Z must understand the consequences of their actions, especially if they are keen on their country's stability. Respect for institutions remains the guarantee that anger will not turn into chaos.

I hope that Morocco will overcome this crisis, for Morocco is not just a sister country, but a homeland close to all our hearts, and its stability is important for the entire region.