Morocco Protests: "Health First" Shakes Akhanouch Government's Priorities

A massive wave of public protests, the largest since the 2011 popular movement, has erupted across Morocco. This movement is largely spearheaded by "Gen Z 212", expressing profound anger over the severe deterioration of essential social services, particularly health and education. The central rallying cry, "We don't want the World Cup... Health First" (مبغيناش كأس العالم.. الصحة أولاً), has become an iconic symbol of the youth's rejection of the government's priorities. Led by Prime Minister Aziz Akhanouch, the current administration is accused of prioritizing multi-billion Dirham investments in sports infrastructure—in preparation for hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 FIFA World Cup—at the expense of citizens' daily needs.

Major cities including Rabat, Casablanca, Fez, and Agadir have witnessed large gatherings. Protesters are demanding immediate improvements to hospitals, an increase in medical and educational staff, and better equipment. Observers view these demonstrations as a powerful outcry against a perceived "disorder of priorities": billions are spent on stadiums and hotels, while basic services remain inadequate, especially in rural and remote areas, locally known as "The Useless Morocco" (المغرب غير النافع).

Gen Z Voices: Frustration with Health and Education

The testimonies from the street highlight the gravity of the crisis. Aia (20) speaks of the widespread fear of public hospitals due to their poor conditions, compounded by the high cost of private healthcare. She criticizes the government for allocating millions to stadiums while failing to provide minimum services to populations still suffering from the earthquake's aftermath, such as those in Al Haouz. Mohammed (22) directly demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Aziz Akhanouch, blaming his policies for the current wave of public discontent.

Addressing the sporadic vandalism, Ayman (25) claimed the demonstrations began peacefully but that "repressive policies and the authorities' disregard" pushed some toward unrest, urging the government to engage swiftly and peacefully. Conversely, activist Najia Adib, President of the "M'toukch Ouledi" (Don't Touch My Children) association, warned against the chaos and destruction of public property, emphasizing that legitimate demands must be channeled through "dialogue and negotiation". She also asserted that any official lacking the strategy to reform their sector "must step down."

The Health Sector Crisis: From "Death Hospital" to Brain Drain

The tragic death of eight women during C-section deliveries at Hassan II Hospital in Agadir acted as the catalyst, triggering what media described as an "explosion of protests" over the failing health system. Citizens argue that the recurring tragedies expose the deterioration of public hospitals and the excessive commercialization of the private sector, accusing the state of "abandoning" public healthcare in favour of privatization. Although Health Minister Amine Tehraoui announced the dismissal of several officials and conducted site visits, the public anger did not subside and quickly spread to cities like Tétouan and Driouch Province.

The crisis is exacerbated by a severe "brain drain": over 10,000 Moroccan doctors work abroad, mostly in Europe, compared to only 23,000 within the Kingdom. Morocco needs more than 32,000 additional doctors to meet WHO standards, making the mass emigration of medical staff a critical challenge acknowledged by both the Health Minister and the Prime Minister.

The Parallel Crisis in Education

The education sector mirrors the health crisis: severe overcrowding, a shortage of teaching staff (an average of 38 students per teacher), fragile infrastructure, and poor vocational training. A UNESCO report indicated that low wages and challenging retirement conditions are key reasons prompting teachers to leave the profession. Despite a substantial budget allocation, the crisis escalated into nearly three months of strikes and protests by primary and secondary teachers, who rejected the Ministry's "New Basic Status" aimed at addressing unresolved issues.

The Government's Response: "We Understand You"

After days of silence, the ruling coalition publicly expressed its readiness for a "positive and responsible response" to the demands of the "youth expressions." A statement confirmed the coalition's "good listening and understanding" of the social demands, pledging "dialogue and discussion within public institutions" to find realistic solutions. While the coalition acknowledged "accumulated issues" in the health system over decades, the statement was met with widespread criticism, with bloggers demanding the government's resignation for failing its promises and causing the deterioration of basic services and the rise in the cost of living.

The World Cup Cost: A Debate of Priorities

The debate rages over the cost of hosting the World Cup 2030 and AFCON 2025. Government and bank financing for stadiums and sports infrastructure is estimated at about $4.2 billion, with massive additional investments planned for transport and tourism. While proponents argue the tournaments could generate economic returns of up to $10 billion and create over 130,000 jobs, opponents warn that the staggering cost will strain the national budget and increase the public debt at a time when essential sectors like health and education are critically under-resourced.