Oujda, Morocco — A tense calm returned to Oujda on Thursday after overnight clashes between mostly Gen Z demonstrators and police left pockets of damage across the eastern city, mirroring unrest seen in several Moroccan urban centers this week.
Residents said the first three days of protests were largely peaceful, with organizers stressing non-violence as they pressed demands for better education, access to healthcare and jobs. That calm frayed on Wednesday night as security forces moved to disperse crowds and arrested dozens. Activists accused authorities of using excessive force, alleging two protesters were shot dead; officials have not publicly confirmed fatalities.
Censorship concerns also mounted. Locals told state television they were wary of speaking openly. “We support the protests but reject the destruction,” one woman said. Another passer-by described the demonstrators as “young people with fair and legitimate demands” who had initially acted peacefully.
The week-long mobilization has been driven by Morocco’s youth, who face stubbornly high unemployment—about 35% in the second quarter of 2025—despite broader macroeconomic stability. Protesters say underinvestment in public services and limited pathways into formal work have deepened frustration, particularly outside the main coastal hubs.
In Oujda, witnesses reported a heavier security presence around key intersections and public buildings on Thursday, with riot police cordoning off streets where bins had been torched and stones scattered. Authorities have not released an official tally of arrests or injuries. Rights groups called for an independent inquiry into alleged abuses and urged the government to guarantee the right to peaceful assembly.
The demonstrations present an early test of the state’s approach to dissent since last year’s post-earthquake reconstruction push and subsidy reforms. Economists warn that without a visible roadmap to expand youth employment—through vocational training, private-sector incentives and regional investment—the grievances animating the marches are likely to persist.
Community leaders in Oujda appealed for restraint on both sides. “Dialogue must replace confrontation,” said a local mediator, urging officials to engage with protest representatives. As night fell, residents braced for another potential standoff—mindful that the city’s calm, for now, remains fragile.
